New-York tribune., 1910-04-27

yesterday.
ment for arterio-sclerosis. from which
he was suffering. but Notwithstanding
this he showed marked Improvement for
a time, due entirely TO his wonderful
vitality. Again, last February, his
death was expected momentarily, but
the crisis passed. leaving him less able
TO withstand the next attack. 1t was
apparent in the last week that he could
not hold out much longer. and prior to
his death he was unconscious for some
hours.
Riornstjerne Bjornson, the great Norve-
gian poet. playwright and novelist. often
called the Victor Hugo Of the North,
was an apostle OF optimism, the direct an
tithesis Of the gloomy Ibsen. yet standing
equally with him for what is truly repre-
sentative in Morse literature. A man Wig
orously cheerful in his attitude toward life
and anna zingly prolific in his writings, he
won throughout his long career enthusiastic
praise from the majority OF mis- critics.
The rugged scenery and rich legendary
associations OF the Dovre Mountains OF
Norway shaped the dreams Of the young
poets boyhood. There he was born in 1882
son of a parish priest OF Kvikne, and there
a a boy of eleven he wrote his first poem.
In those days ne possessed a third name.
Martinus but this cosnomen he laid away
in later years, and L has escaped the
notice OF most OF mis- biographers. Before
entering the university at Christiania he
wrote "Valborg" an historic drama. which
was accepted by the Christiania theatre
but later VAS withdrawn voluntarily by its
young author. who had in the mean time
become aware Of its defects. 1t was never
produced and, beyond a few verses was
never printed. He was graduated from the
university i'm 1851. having already as a stu
dent produced many sketches and reviews
Entering Immediately upon the active
work OF Journalism, he served an enthusi-
astic apprenticeship Of three years before
beginning his real literary career with a
review of "A New Years Book in the
"Christiania MorgenIladet" In 1856 he be-
came editor OF the little weekly journal
''Illustreret Folkeblad," in which there be-
gan 10 appear in 1857 his first novel, Trust
and Trial" the first of those peasant stories
which began new ira in Morse literature
A: the same time appeared his first drama
Between the BATTLES" From then TO the
time of his death book after book followed
in rapid succession. He came 10 be ac-
knowledged as his country's chief novelist
probably her leading poet, and, with Ibsen.
her foremost dramatist
Shortly after the appearance of his first
drama Bj0rnson was made director of the
theatre in Bergen by ole Bun, and for three
years travelled under the governments nav.
chiefly I'm Italy. In the winter of 1850 and
1881 he lectureG in this country. He soon
achieved a wide popularity of so distinctly
national character that. as Brapdes. tbe
Norwegian critic, says. the mention OF his
name in gathering Of his countrymen is
Ike running up the national flag" For
many years he was the leader of the TO
publican party IN that country. and en-
gagged actively I'm social and religious coll
troversies. lie eKerted strong inauo,ca
TOT the movement which finally resulted in
the Independence Of Norway. He vas no,
merely a poet and seer. but a nracti,,al
politician. This Influenced the character of
his work and divided 1t into ,u,o ,5iz,,-,,
periods. the lyric and the didsct,c H..
plays Of the former period sra saga, -
hts tales idyllic. After $50 he wrote Ii,,ia
verse
BJornson's Between the Rs.,Ies.. No.. ,,,
lowed the same year By his second dr,,,.
Lame Hulds." Then came tho ,,,...,,,
novel "Arne" I'm 1859 and Small Pieces"
In 1850. collection OF five short stories
The tragedy OF King Sverre'' appearsd in
1851, and the next yesr came tho draua.i,
triology, 'SiEurd Slembe" which Rober,
Buchanan called the authors rnasternlcce
lie wrote the tragedy Mary Stuart in
Scotland" In 1864. and the next year pro-
ouced the comedy The Newly Married
Couple; IN 1868 tho peasant tale .'Th..
Fisher Maiden: In 1870 the first edition az
his collected poems and tho epic romance
"Arnl5ot GelliEe.' lis longest poem; IN 1872
the last OF the saga dramas. "Sigurd the
Crusader" and Tales. a second collection
OF stories, in two volumes In 1873 followed
the peasant novel "Brude- -Slaaten'' 9TH.
Bridal March,, reprinted from the second
volume Of The Tales, in 1874 Tho pI.,,
"RedaKt6ren" 9TH. Editor'). the first o., =
series OF dramas which deal with ,ooa.r,
social. political anG religious problems. I'm
1875 the drama "En Falit" GA Rank
ruptcy''), one of the most popular of all
The plays: I'm 1877 the drama "Kongeu'' ,..Tbe
King''b and the novel 'Magnhild. which
like The Editor" among the PLAYS marks
The beginning Of g new direction. in ls7e
the novel "Kapiejn Mansana" t'Captaiu
Mansana'D. a story OF the war OF Italian
Independence, and the dramas "L"onards" o"
and 'lpet NJ System" C'Ghe New system,
in lNss the dramas I'm Hanske" "a
GauntletD ana over A.yue" C-Beyond
Their Strength'D' in issi the novel "Det
hager Byen og aa Havuen'' C'Flags Are
Flyiog IN city and Harbor'D IN lsS5 the last
of the dramas 'Geograh og karlighed"
,.-t;eoSIsphy aud Love'r. iu 1855 tho last
novel ''laa Guds Neie' In Gcd's Way.
..uv. u set. = tnirl collection Il stori~s
called "Nyc FortslHnser' C':,.R Tales ,.