He is one of the so-called "The Four Greats" of Norwegian literature, along with Henrik Ibsen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Jonas Lie.

Gift (published in English as Poison ) is the first of a trilogy including Fortuna (1884) and St. Hans Fest (1887).

The story features a young boy called Marius, lying on his deathbed while repeating Latin grammar.

In 1891 he was designated the mayor of his hometown, Stavanger, until 1902 when he relocated to Molde as county governor of the land Møre og Romsdal.

He had several heart attacks, constantly gained weight, and couldn't control his great passion for food.