The Four Greats (Norwegian writers)

The Four Greats. Clockwise from top left: Kielland, Lie, Ibsen, and Bjørnson.

The Four Greats (in Danish and Norwegian De Fire Store) is a term used for four of the most influential Norwegian writers of the late 19th century.

The Four Greats are:

• Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
• Henrik Ibsen
• Alexander Kielland
• Jonas Lie

Originally a publicity gimmick introduced by their publisher, Gyldendal, the term stuck, and is still widely used for these writers, all of whom were realist writers.

Bjørnson, Ibsen and Lie all attended the same school in Christiania, Heltberg Latin School (Heltbergs Studentfabrikk), to prepare for their university matriculation.