Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Ibsen, Henrik

IBSEN, HENRIK (ib'sen), a Norwegian novelist and dramatist; born in Skien, Norway, in 1828. His youth was passed in extreme poverty. At 16 he left school and became an apprentice in a drug store at Grimstad. He made several unsuccessful literary attempts, abandoned medicine, and finally, in 1851. was appointed by Ole Bull director of the National Theater at Bergen. In 1858 he became artistic director of the Norwegian Theater at Christiania. His best known dramas are: &ldquo;The Doll's House,&rdquo; &ldquo;Brand,&rdquo; &ldquo;Hedda Gabler,&rdquo; &ldquo;Ghosts,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Pillars of Society.&rdquo; His plays are noted for discussions of social matters. He died May 22, 1906.