Hanna Winsnes

Hanna Winsnes

Hanna Winsnes
Born	(1789-09-29)September 29, 1789 Christiania, Denmark-Norway
Died	March 8, 1872(1872-03-08) (aged 82) Christiania, Norway
Occupation	Writer, Educator
Notable work	Lærebog i de forskjellige Grene af Huusholdningen (Textbook in Various Branches of Housekeeping)

Hanna Winsnes (September 29, 1789 – March 8, 1872) was a Norwegian writer and educator. She is best known for her textbook Lærebog i de forskjellige Grene af Huusholdningen (Textbook in Various Branches of Housekeeping), which became a standard reference for domestic science in Norway during the 19th century.

Early Life and Education

Hanna Winsnes was born on September 29, 1789, in Christiania, Denmark-Norway (now Oslo, Norway). She grew up in a well-educated family and received a comprehensive education, which was uncommon for girls at the time. Her father, Johan Ernst Welhaven, was a prominent educator and her mother, Karen Margrethe Hesselberg, came from a family of scholars.

Career

Winsnes began her career as a teacher at a girls' school in Christiania. She soon realized the lack of educational resources for domestic science and decided to write a comprehensive textbook on the subject. In 1845, she published Lærebog i de forskjellige Grene af Huusholdningen, which covered various aspects of housekeeping, including cooking, cleaning, sewing, and childcare. The book was well-received and became widely used in Norwegian households and schools.

Winsnes' textbook played a significant role in improving the standards of domestic science in Norway. It provided practical guidance and valuable knowledge to women, empowering them to manage their households efficiently. The book went through several editions and remained popular for over a century.

Legacy

Hanna Winsnes' contributions to domestic science and education in Norway were significant. Her textbook, Lærebog i de forskjellige Grene af Huusholdningen, had a lasting impact on Norwegian society, shaping the way housekeeping was taught and practiced. Winsnes' emphasis on practical skills and scientific principles laid the foundation for modern home economics education in Norway.