author
Rietrik Polén
1823–1884
A lively voice in 19th-century Finland, he wrote, edited, and taught with a strong belief in the future of the Finnish language. His work helped bring Finnish literature and national identity into public conversation at a crucial moment.
1 Audiobook
Johdanto Suomen kirjallishistoriaan
by Rietrik Polén
About the author
Born in Pieksämäki in 1823, Rietrik Polén was a Finnish journalist, lecturer, translator, and writer who became an energetic supporter of the Finnish nationalist movement. He studied at the University of Helsinki and was drawn early to efforts to strengthen Finnish-language culture and literature.
Polén is especially remembered for his work in journalism and literary history. He wrote for and later led the newspaper Suometar, an important forum for the growing Finnish-language movement, and he published Johdanto Suomen kirjallishistoriaan in 1858, an early introduction to the history of Finnish literature.
Alongside his writing and editorial work, he also taught at a lyceum in Mikkeli. He died there in 1884, leaving behind a body of work closely tied to the rise of Finnish cultural life in the 1800s.