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Anderson, Rasmus Bjorn

author, was born Jan. 12, 1846, in Albion, Wis.

In 1866 he became professor of Greek and modern languages in Albion academy, near his home. In 1869 he became instructor in languages in the university of Wisconsin, and in 1875-83 filled the chair of Scandinavian languages and literature in that institution, where he also founded a Scandinavian library. He has been a prolific writer, and has contributed to Johnson's Universal Cyclopedia; McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia, The American Supplement of the Encyclopedia Britannica; and to the last edition of Chambers' Encyclopedia. He has lectured extensively on the subject of Norse literature and mythology. During 1885- 89 he was United States minister to Denmark. As an author of books he has won an enviable reputation, his principal works being Norse Mythology; America Not Discovered by Columbus; Echoes from Mist-Land; History of the Literature of the Scandinavian North; Viking Tales of the North; The Younger Edda; The Elder Edda; and various other works.