Erik Axel Karlfeldt
Encyclopedia
Erik Axel Karlfeldt was a Swedish
poet
whose highly symbolist poetry
masquerading as regionalism was popular and won him the Nobel Prize in Literature
posthumously in 1931. It has been rumored that he had been offered, but declined, the award already in 1919.
Karlfeldt was born into a farmer's family in Karlbo
, in the province of Dalarna
. Initially, his name was Erik Axel Eriksson, but he assumed his new name in 1889, wanting to distance himself from his father, who had suffered the disgrace of a criminal conviction. He studied at Uppsala University
, simultaneously supporting himself by teaching school in several places, including Djursholms samskola
in the Stockholm
suburb of Djursholm
and at a school for adults. After completing his studies, he held a position at the Royal Library of Sweden, in Stockholm, for five years.
In 1904 Karlfeldt was elected a member of the Swedish Academy
and held chair number 11. In 1905 he was elected a member of the Nobel Institute of the Academy, and, in 1907, of the Nobel Committee. In 1912 he was elected permanent secretary of the Academy, a position he held until his death.
Uppsala University
, Karlfeldt's alma mater
, awarded him the title of Doctor
honoris causae in 1917.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
whose highly symbolist poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
masquerading as regionalism was popular and won him the Nobel Prize in Literature
Nobel Prize in Literature
Since 1901, the Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually to an author from any country who has, in the words from the will of Alfred Nobel, produced "in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction"...
posthumously in 1931. It has been rumored that he had been offered, but declined, the award already in 1919.
Karlfeldt was born into a farmer's family in Karlbo
Karlbo
Karlbo is a village in Avesta Municipality, Dalarna, Sweden. Erik Axel Karlfeldt was born here.-External links:*http://www.maplandia.com/sweden/dalarnes-lan/avesta-kommun/karlbo/...
, in the province of Dalarna
Dalarna
', English exonym: Dalecarlia, is a historical province or landskap in central Sweden. Another English language form established in literature is the Dales. Places involving the element Dalecarlia exist in the United States....
. Initially, his name was Erik Axel Eriksson, but he assumed his new name in 1889, wanting to distance himself from his father, who had suffered the disgrace of a criminal conviction. He studied at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, simultaneously supporting himself by teaching school in several places, including Djursholms samskola
Djursholms samskola
Djursholms Samskola is the traditional name of a middle school in Djursholm, Sweden. The official name of the school is Viktor Rydbergs Samskola.-History:...
in the Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
suburb of Djursholm
Djursholm
Djursholm is one of four suburban districts in, and the seat of Danderyd Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden. Djursholm is included in the multi-municipal Stockholm urban area.-History:...
and at a school for adults. After completing his studies, he held a position at the Royal Library of Sweden, in Stockholm, for five years.
In 1904 Karlfeldt was elected a member of the Swedish Academy
Swedish Academy
The Swedish Academy , founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden.-History:The Swedish Academy was founded in 1786 by King Gustav III. Modelled after the Académie française, it has 18 members. The motto of the Academy is "Talent and Taste"...
and held chair number 11. In 1905 he was elected a member of the Nobel Institute of the Academy, and, in 1907, of the Nobel Committee. In 1912 he was elected permanent secretary of the Academy, a position he held until his death.
Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, Karlfeldt's alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, awarded him the title of Doctor
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
honoris causae in 1917.
External links
- Biography at the Nobel e-Museum
- Short biography at nobel-winners.com
- Karlfeldt's collected works and a facsimile of a 1956 edition, both at Project RunebergProject RunebergProject Runeberg is an initiative patterned after Project Gutenberg that publishes freely available electronic versions of books significant to the culture and history of the Nordic countries...
- Pegasos Author's Calendar on Karlfeldt
His works in English
- Modern Swedish Poetry Part 1 (1929) - (trans. by C.D. Locock)
- Arcadia Borealis (1938) - (trans. by Charles Wharton Stork)
- The North! To the North! (2001) - (trans. by Judith Moffett, five poets including Karlfeldt)