Danish translator, primarily of Swedish children's literature. The sister of author Hans Kirk, Ellen also started out as an author, publishing her first novel "Med Fjerkost og Kasserolle" in 1931. With her brother she then turned to writing short stories for Danish magazines for a living.
She was employed by publisher Gyldendal from 1940 until her death, and was tasked with translating most of Astrid Lindgren's works (except Pippi Longstocking), and also other contemporary Swedish authors, notably Gösta Knutson, Gunilla Bergström and Maria Gripe.
From English, she translated Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House on the Prairie" series and Enid Blyton's "Adventure" series as well as a dozen other books. In addition, she also translated books from Norwegian, German and French.
