Origins & Early Life

Jonas Lauritz Idemil Lie (Norwegian: [liː]; 6 November 1833 – 5 July 1908) was a Norwegian novelist, poet, and playwright who, together with Henrik Ibsen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Alexander Kielland, is considered one of the Four Greats of 19th-century Norwegian literature. Jonas Lie was born at Hokksund in Øvre Eiker in Buskerud county, Norway. His parents were Pauline Christine Tiller (1799–1877) and Mons Lie (1803–81). Five years after Jonas's birth, his father was appointed sheriff of Tromsø, which lies within the Arctic Circle, and young Jonas Lie spent six of the most impressionable years of his life at that remote port.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was sent to the naval school at Fredriksværn; but his defective eyesight caused him to give up a career at sea. He transferred to the Bergen Cathedral School (Bergen katedralskole) in Bergen, and in 1851 entered the University of Christiania, where he made the acquaintance of Ibsen and Bjørnson. He graduated in law in 1857, and shortly afterwards began to practice at Kongsvinger, a town located between Lake Mjøsa and the border with Sweden. Clients were not numerous at Kongsvinger and Lie found time to write for the newspapers...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adrien-Marie Legendre — Contemporary (Died in 1833) (1833): Pioneering French mathematician known for Legendre polynomials and least squares method.
• Alexander Borodin — Contemporary (Born in 1833) (1833): Russian Romantic composer, chemist, and physician known for 'Prince Igor' and symphonies.
• Alfred Nobel — Contemporary (Born in 1833) (1833): Pioneering chemist, inventor of dynamite, and founder of the Nobel Prizes.
• Abraham Maslow — Contemporary (Born in 1908) (1908): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Amon Göth — Contemporary (Born in 1908) (1908): Austrian SS functionary and war criminal, commandant of Płaszów concentration camp.
• Anna Magnani — Contemporary (Born in 1908) (1908): Iconic Italian actress, celebrated for her fiery passion and raw, volcanic talent.
• Alexander S. Wiener — Shared historical date (11-06 · Died) (1976): Pioneering American biologist known for discoveries in serology and immunogenetics.
• Alfred F. Young — Shared historical date (11-06 · Died) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• Al-Mustansir Billah — Shared historical date (07-05 · Born) (1029): Eighth Fatimid Caliph, whose long reign marked the twilight of the dynasty.
• Antonio de Ulloa — Shared historical date (07-05 · Died) (1795): Spanish Enlightenment figure, scientist, and colonial administrator.
• 1833 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1833
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• 1908 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1908
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