Martinson, Harry

Harry Martinson was born in Jämshög in Blekinge. He had a difficult and unhappy childhood. His father, who largely was absent during his childhood, died in tuberculosis in 1910. His mother was running a general store, but it went bankrupt. After the death of her spouse, she emigrated to America never to return again. Harry Martinson and his six sisters were left behind in Sweden. Martinson now became a parish child and was placed on various farms. For a time he also lived at a home for old people. He ran away on several occasions.