Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was born in Kvikne, Norway, on December 8, 1832. He was a central figure in Norway's cultural and political life in the 19th century. As a poet, he is the author of the lyrics to the Norwegian national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, we love this country). His novels, such as "Synnøve Solbakken" and "Arne", portray Norwegian peasant life with an idealized and romantic perspective. As a playwright, his plays explore moral and social dilemmas, influencing the development of Norwegian theatre. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1903 for "[...] as a noble tribute to the purity, strength, and poetic power of his poetry, which with great versatility and erudition has adorned the lives of his people". Bjørnson died in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, on April 26, 1910.