Vinje, Aasmund Olafsson

Vinje, Aasmund Olafsson (ôs`mn ō`läfs-sôn vĭn`yə), 1818–70, Norwegian essayist and poet. After establishing a reputation as a successful journalist, Vinje earned a law degree. In 1858 he founded Dølen, a periodical intended to promote the use of Nynorsk, New Norwegian. He created the language on the basis of the concepts of linguist Ivar Aasen. Ferdaminni fraa Sumaren 1860 [travel memories from the summer of 1860] (1861) is Vinje's best-known work. His writing is noted for its subtle irony.