Sigurd Ibsen

Sigurd Ibsen
Drawing of Sigurd Ibsen

Sigurd Ibsen (23 December 1859 14 April 1930) was a Norwegian author, lawyer and statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Norway in Stockholm (1903–1905) and played a central role in the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905.

Background

Ibsen was born in Christiania, but grew up mostly in Germany and Italy. Being the only child of playwright Henrik Ibsen and his wife Suzannah Thoresen, he struggled all his life to meet his family's high expectations.

Sigurd Ibsen got his doctorate in law in Rome in 1882 and was married to Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson's daughter Bergliot. His son Tancred Ibsen became a well known film director. His daughter, Irene Ibsen Bille, was married to Josias Bille, a member of the Danish ancient noble Bille family. Their son was Danish actor Joen Bille.

Prime Minister in Stockholm

From 1903 to 1905, he served as Prime Minister of Norway in Stockholm (i.e., the leader of the Norwegian delegation to the King of Sweden and Norway and the second highest cabinet position). During his term, George Francis Hagerup was Prime Minister in Christiania. Sigurd Ibsen played a central role in the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905. He is also regarded as important in convincing influential Norwegians supporting a republican government, like Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Arne Garborg and Fridtjof Nansen, to turn and instead support a monarchy.

Ancestry

Literature

External links