Author. He was a novelist, essayist, short story writer, journalist, and dramatist. Born in Oslo into an upper class family, he balanced between his social background and leftist sympathies. Although he remained conservative in his life-style, that did not soften his sharp social criticism. His first book, a collection of short stories, appeared in 1925. He continued with experimental novels and became one of the most important 20th-century short-story writers in Norway. He gained critical success especially with his portrayals of children and young people, and for his explorations of existential problems in modern society. Although he dealt with terrible acts committed by young people, he avoided delivering moral messages, which caused much criticism of his work. As a journalist he worked at the newspaper "Dagbladet" and became known for his witty, sarcastic columns, written under the pseudonym "Mumle Gåsegg". He also wrote literary reviews for the newspaper. In the 1930s he was influenced by existentialism, which is seen in his plays. During World War II, when Norway was occupied by the German Army, he was arrested by the Gestapo for his writings and was imprisoned in the Grini concentration camp. After a year he was released and he immediately escaped to Sweden. His principal works were the trilogy "Lillelord", "De Mørke Kildene", and "Vi har ham nå", all three of which were translated into English under the title "Lillelord". Like his earlier books, these books focused on the significance of the characters childhood experiences, and their effects later in life. The storyline is set in the years before World War I, and follows the life of a young, talented boy, Wilfred Sagen, from childhood to puberty, and his slow moral degeneration. Borgen was married to writer Annemarta Evjenth; they would have three children. He died in 1979 at his favorite home, "Knatten", in Hvaler, where he and Annemarta's ashes are now buried.