Elias Lönnrot
Born in 1802
Historical Fiction
Poetry
Elias Lönnrot was a Finnish philologist and doctor born in 1802.
He is best known for compiling the Kalevala, Finland's national epic, from traditional oral poetry.
Lönnrot studied medicine but pursued his passion for the Finnish language, collecting folk tales and writing about early Finnish.
He took extended leaves from his medical practice to travel throughout Finland and nearby regions, gathering material for his works.
His efforts resulted in several publications, including two editions of the Kalevala, Kanteletar, and a Finnish-Swedish dictionary.
Lönnrot's work in preserving Finland's oral traditions earned him a position as Chair of Finnish Literature at the University of Helsinki.
He died in 1884 in Sammatti.
