Henrik Johan Ibsen (pronounce [ˈhɛnɾɪk ˈɪpsən]; March 20, 1828–May 23, 1906) was a major Norwegian playwright of realistic drama. He is often referred to as the "father of modern drama." Ibsen is held to be, alongside Knut Hamsun, the greatest of Norwegian authors and one of the most important playwrights of all time, celebrated as a national symbol by Norwegians.