Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1910-04-29
BJ0RNS0N, NORWAY
NOVELIST, is DEAD
FAMOUS WRITER SUCCUMBS TO
PARALYSIS IN 18TH YEAR OF
HIS AGE.
WIFE WITH HIM AT THE END.
In Later Years He Became Well
Known as an Apostle of Uni
versal Peace.

PARIS, April BjOrnstjerne Born
son, the famous Norwegian novelist,
playwright, poet and publicist died at
the Hotel Wagwram here Tuesday night
in the seventy eighth year of his age. His
wife, whom be married ffty-two years
ago. was with him at the end.
Bjornson suffered a stroke of paralysis
last June and was brought here in No
vember for electro-therapeutic treatment.
1t was reported lately that he was
growing better. The change came unex-
pectedly. The news of his death was
kept from the public for several hours.
BJornstjerne Bjornson was born near
the town Of Mode, Norway, December
s. 1881. Poet, novelist, dramatist, re-
former and apostle of peace, two heredi-
tary traits dominated in his character
the placid pleasant nature, which he
drew from his father, a country parSOn,
and the fighting spirit which came to
hun from his more remote ancestors, the
old Morse Sea-rOyerS.
Prophet-Poet of Norway.
lie was known as the prophet-poet of
Norway. His very name, Bjornstjerne
Bjornson, the Star of the Great Bear,
suggests the painting, Star of the North.
Toward him the people looked for guild
ance, and with his cudgels he fought in
the cause of truth and justice.
His literary tendencies manifested
themselves early, when he was still
small boy in fact, and took the form of
hymns. At Mode, where he was sent to
school, he distinguished himself as both
hghter and a poet, taking the side of
the small boys against the big ones, and
turning the old Morse and Icelandic
SagaS and hero tales into modern verse.
A he, rlF 10 nod fi,NI f,,5
yersity Of Christania, and while there
began writing in a more serious vein.
The old Sagas still furnished him his
material, but he attempted drama. He
seems to have been unsettled as TO his
future at this time, for he abandoned
temporarily, his dramatic ambition.
After two years as writer and editor
he became the director of the Bergen
theater and held the post two years.
This was in 1857. Shortly afterward he
married karoline Reimers The next
few years were devoted to travel and
residence in Denmark, Germany and
Italy, and then Bjornson went back to
Norway for ten years.
Developed Dramatic Skill.
1t was during these ten years that he
found himself. He began the series OF
plays which conquered the Norwegian
stage, and also invaded the Danish, SWe-
dish and German theaters.
All the while he was pouring out vol
umes of short stories, fables, poems,
long novels and critical essays. Part of
the time he was editor of the Folk
blad, and for two years he was director
of the Christiana theater. He left this
latter place because he was not allowed
to have his own way.
As Bjornson grew older he went into
politics almost in spite of himseIf-and
always as a reformer.
T., lot
we'll known an apostle of universal peace
as is Tolstoi himself.
In 1908 his celebration of his golden
wedding was the occasion for general
good wishes.
Among the best known of his works
which have been translated into English
are "Synnovo Solbakkon," The Fisher
Lass, THE Bridal March," I'm Gods
Way" "A Gaunetlet," THE Heritage of
the Hurts" Pastor Sang" Paul
Lange," 'Arne,' ''Laboremus," ''Magn-
hid, a Happy Boy and Captain Ma
sana."