author
Jooseppi Mustakallio
1857–1923
A Finnish pastor, poet, and lyricist, he is remembered both for church leadership and for writing songs and verses that stayed in popular memory. His life joined faith, education, and literature in a way that made him a notable cultural figure in Finland.
1 Audiobook
Pulmusparvi
by Jooseppi Mustakallio
About the author
Born in Säräisniemi in 1857 and known earlier as Josef Schwartzberg, he became a Finnish pastor, poet, lyricist, and editor. He later took the name Jooseppi Mustakallio, and his work moved between the worlds of religion and literature.
Mustakallio served as the fourth mission director of the Finnish Missionary Society from 1898 to 1913. Biographical sources describe his leadership years as a period when the society's work expanded strongly both in Finland and on its mission fields.
Alongside his church and organizational work, he also wrote poetry and song lyrics. He is especially remembered for the poem often noted as his best known work, "Evening Song." He died in Parikkala in 1923.