author
Eero Salmelainen
1830–1867
Best known for bringing Finnish folk tales into print, this 19th-century collector and writer helped preserve stories that might otherwise have vanished. His work became a classic source for readers interested in Finland’s oral storytelling tradition.
1 Audiobook
Vähäinen kertomus Muinais-Suomalaisten pyhistä menoista
by Eero Salmelainen
About the author
Born as Erik Rudbeck in Iisalmi on April 17, 1830, he wrote under the name Eero Salmelainen. He was a Finnish collector of folk poetry and tales, as well as a writer, journalist, translator, and teacher.
He is especially remembered for editing and publishing Suomen kansan satuja ja tarinoita, a landmark collection of Finnish folk tales and stories issued in parts between the 1850s and 1860s. His work was valued for staying close to the tone and shape of traditional oral storytelling while helping bring that material to a wider reading public.
After setbacks in his planned scholarly career, he moved to Kuopio, where he worked as a teacher and continued his editorial and translation work. He died in Kuopio on June 29, 1867, at only 37 years old, but his books remained an important part of Finnish literary and folklore history.