BRUN, JOHAN NORDAHL

born March 21, 1745, Byneset, Nor. died July 26, 1816, Bergen poet, dramatist, bishop, and politician who aroused national consciousness in Norway before it became independent of Denmark. Brun was an indifferent student at the University of Copenhagen but became a pastor in Bergen (1774). He wrote the first Norwegian national anthem, For Norge, kjmpers fdeland (1771; For Norway, Land of Heroes), forbidden until independence in 1814. The beginning and high point of his literary career was the drama Zarine (1772), which was followed in the same year by another patriotic tragedy, Einer Tambeskielver. His primary interest, however, lay in the church. His ambition was satisfied when he became bishop and leading citizen of Bergen in 1804. He became famous as a preacher and is remembered for his many hymns.