Henrik Ibsen
(1828–1906)

Henrik Ibsen was a playwright—the author of such works as A Doll House (1879), Ghosts (1882), The Wild Duck (1885), Hedda Gabler (1891), and The Master Builder (1893). Between 1849 and 1899, he wrote 26 plays, many of which are performed all over the world to this day.

Ibsen's early life was not particularly happy. He was born in Skien, Norway, the son of a successful businessman who went bankrupt. Because of the family's financial situation, he had to go to work at age 15. He hated it and began writing poetry. In 1850, he decided to go to the university in Christiania (now Oslo), but he failed the entrance exams in Greek and mathematics, and was, therefore, not admitted. He turned to theater and worked as a playwright and manager.

In 1862, with Love's Comedy, Ibsen became nationally known as a playwright. However, his work was not successful and in discouragement, he left Norway in 1864. He stayed away for twenty-seven years, living in Italy and Germany. Ibsen changed his appearance, his habits, and even his handwriting. He stopped trying to write traditional plays and instead, developed realistic techniques that have changed the course of modern drama. When he came back to Norway in 1891, he was welcomed as a successful playwright.

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