Henrik Ibsen was born on March 20, 1828 in Skien, Norway. He was born to a poor family and was the oldest of five children. After university, he lived in exile in Rome, Dresden and Munich from 1864-92. His plays addressed social issues and the concept of personal freedom. He died in 1906, survived by one illegitimate son, Hans Jacob, one legitimate son, Sigurd, and his wife Suzannah Thoresen. Ibsen died on May 23, 1906.