He attended grammar school, Heltbergs Studentfabrikk in Oslo, with Henrik Ibsen, but dropped out of a course at the University of Oslo. By his early twenties he was writing literature reviews for the Norwegian newspaper, Morgenbladet. At 25 he wrote his first produced play, "Mellem Slagene" (Between the Battles). His "Paul Lange og Tora Parsberg" was a statement for political tolerance, and "På Guds veie" ("In God's Way") for religious tolerance. He is best known internationally for his tales of peasant life in Norway. His novel, "Synnöve Solbakken", has been filmed three times. Bjørnson also worked as a stage director, and later served as editor of another paper, Aftenbladet, where he wrote fiery liberal editorials and passionately defended Alfred Dreyfus. His poem, "Yes, We Love This Land", is the Norwegian national anthem.