(nynorsk) which caused considerable strife in the country, but which has also resulted in neo- Norwegian being placed on a parity with the so-called book language (riksmaal) in the school, church, and in government administration. The Danish language in Norway during the union with Denmark and throughout the nineteenth century was Danish only in form (in spelling and gram- mar); the spoken language was Norwegian and altogether different from Danish. At the close of the past century a movement began for the norwe- gianisation of the Danish literary form. This development, in which Bjgrnson took an active part, has proceeded very rapidly, with the result that there is now a very wide distinction between Norwegian and Danish spelling. The greatest influence on Norwegian literature has been exercised by Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) and Bjgrnstjerne Bjérnson (1832-1910). Ibsen renewed and reformed romantic verse to such an extent that he became world-famous and_ in- fluenced the literature of the world. Bjgrnson was not alone a great poet and dramatist, but became in addition a great national leader who wielded great power in the political and intellectual development of the nation. In Norway his in- fluence was greater and more potent than that of any other Norwegian. Contemporaries of Bjgrnson and Ibsen were Jonas Lie (1833-1908) and Alex- ander Kielland (1849-1906). These were the «big four» who at the close of the nineteenth century 61