Johan Ludvig Runeberg

Johan Ludvig Runeberg(Finland Swedish:[ˈjuːhɑnˈlʉdːviɡˈrʉːnebærj]; 5 February 1804 – 6 May 1877)was a Finnishpriest, lyric and epic poet. He wrote exclusively in Swedish. He is considered anational poetof Finland. He is the author of the lyrics toVårt land(Our Land,Maammein Finnish) which became the Finnishnational anthem. Runeberg was also involved in the modernization of theFinnish Lutheran hymnaland produced many texts for the new edition.
Runeberg was born into a Swedish-speaking family inJakobstad, Finland, on the shores of theGulf of Bothnia. His parents weresea captainLorentz Ulrik Runeberg (1772–1828) and Anna Maria Malm (1782–1834).His paternal grandfather Ludvig had moved to Finland from Sweden, and Anna Maria Malm was born to amerchantfamily from Jakobstad, which probably also had their roots in Sweden.
As a child, Runeberg suffered fromscrofula, which led to glandular swelling. His physical development slowed down due to illness so that he did not learn to walk until he was three or four years old.From his father, Johan inherited a manly and brisk character, and from his mother, he inherited sensitivity and artistic talent.
At the age of eight, Runeberg was sent to live with his uncle and attend school inOulu.  Runeberg studied in the city ofVaasaand later on at theImperial Academy of Turku, where he befriendedJohan Vilhelm SnellmanandZacharias Topelius. His studies concentrated mainly on the classical languages of Latin and Greek. He earned a Master of Philosophy during 1827. He served as a tutor (1822–1826), docent at theImperial Alexander University(1830) and teacher at the Swedish-language Helsingfors Lyceum (1831–1836).
From 1837, he lived inPorvoo, where he served as professor of Latin literature in theBorgå gymnasium. Runeberg was the tutor ofCarl Henrik Alopaeus, who would later become the bishop of Porvoo and an educator of the deaf. Runeberg also supportedCarl Oscar Malm's school for the deaf in Porvoo (at which Alopaeus taught) as well as serving on the school board. FinnishsalonhostessNatalia Castrén(1830–1881) was a member of Runeberg's cultural circle.
Many of his poems deal with life in rural Finland. The best known of these isBonden Paavo, (Farmer Paavo,Saarijärven Paavoin Finnish), about asmallholdingpeasant farmer in the poor parish ofSaarijärviand his determination,sisu(guts) and unwavering faith in providence in the face of a harsh climate and years of bad harvests. Three times, a frosty night destroys his crops. Every time, he mixes double the amount ofbarkinto hisbark breadto stave offstarvationand works ever harder to dry off marsh into dryer land that would not be as exposed to the night frost. After the fourth year, Paavo finally gets a rich crop. As his wife exults, thanks God and tells Paavo to enjoy full bread made entirely out of grain, Paavo instructs his wife to mix bark into grain once more, because their neighbour's crop has been lost in a frost and he gives half of his crop to the needy neighbour.
Runeberg's main works included the idealist poem "Älgskyttarna" (Elk Hunters, 1832) and the epicKung Fjalar(King Fjalar, 1844). The heroic poemFänrik Ståls Sägner(The Tales of Ensign Stål,Vänrikki Stoolin tarinatinFinnish) written between 1848 and 1860 is considered the greatest Finnishepic poemoutside the nativeKalevalatradition and contains tales of theFinnish Warof 1808–09 withRussia. In the war,Swedenignominiously lost Finland, which became aGrand Duchyin theRussian Empire. The epic, which is composed episodically, emphasizes the common humanity of all sides in the conflict, while principally lauding the heroism of the Finns. The first poemVårt land(Our Land,Maammein Finnish) became the unofficialFinnish National Anthem.
He was married to his second cousinFredrika Runeberg, née Tengström, who wrote poems and novels. They were the parents of eight children, including the sculptorWalter Runeberg, who was their eldest son.He also had several emotional affairs throughout his life, most notably with Maria Prytz and the younger poetEmilie Björkstén.
Johan Ludvig Runeberg met poetFredrika Wenmanat a school inVaasa. Runeberg dedicated his poem to Frigga. However, the courtship ended when Runeberg left to study at theRoyal Academy of Turkuin 1823.
Runeberg Day(Finnish:Runebergin päivä) is celebrated annually on 5 February, the day of Runeberg's birth.  A pastry flavored with almonds calledRuneberg's torte(Finnish:Runebergintorttu; Swedish:Runebergstårta) is generally available in stores from the beginning of January until 5 February.
There is a statue of Johan Ludwig Runeberg by his sonWalter RunebergonEsplanadiin the heart ofHelsinki.Runeberg TownshipinBecker County, Minnesotawas also named after Runeberg.
TheRuneberginkatustreet in central Helsinki is named after him.
Runeberg was selected as the main motif of the Finnish commemorative coin, the €10Johan Ludvig Runeberg and Finnish Poetry commemorative coin. It was minted in 2004 celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth. The obverse of the coin features a stylized portrait of Runeberg's face. The reverse features an 1831 font sample from the Swedish-language newspaperHelsingfors Tidningar, since Runeberg wrote most of his work in Swedish.