# Esaias Tegnér

> Swedish poet, professor and bishop (1782–1846)

**Wikidata**: [Q366765](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q366765)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esaias_Tegnér)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/esaias-tegner

## Summary

Esaias Tegnér was born on November 13, 1782, in a parish, and was a citizen of Sweden [1][2][3][4][5][6]. His father was Esaias Tegnér and his mother was Sara Maria Seidelius [3][7][3][7]. He was educated at Lund University [6] and followed Lutheranism as his religion . His occupations included poet, writer, university teacher, and Lutheran pastor [8].Tegnér was known for narrative poetry, with his most notable work being Frithiof's Saga . He held seat 8 of the Swedish Academy from 1819 until his death in 1846 . He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Swedish Academy, the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities, and the Geatish Society [9][10].He died on November 2, 1846, in Växjö from a stroke [11][5][1][12][2][13][14][4][14]. He was buried at the Tegnér cemetery . His children were Kristofer Tegnér, Disa Tegnér, and Elof Tegnér [15].

## Summary
Esaias Tegnér was a renowned Swedish poet, professor, and bishop who lived from 1782 to 1846. He is best known for his significant contributions to Swedish literature, particularly his narrative poetry and his famous work *Frithiof's Saga*. As a prominent intellectual figure, he was affiliated with Lund University and was a member of several prestigious Swedish academies.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 13, 1782
- **Nationality**: Sweden (Kingdom of Sweden)
- **Education**: Educated at Lund University
- **Known for**: Writing narrative poetry, specifically the literary work *Frithiof's Saga*
- **Employer(s)**: Lund University
- **Field(s)**: Poetry, Literature, Theology (implied by role as Bishop), Academia

## Contributions
Esaias Tegnér's primary contribution to culture and literature is the creation of the narrative poem *Frithiof's Saga*, a landmark work in Swedish literature. As a professor at Lund University, he influenced the academic and literary landscape of early 19th-century Sweden. His work helped define the genre of narrative poetry in the region. He was an active member of the Geatish Society, a literary society founded in 1811, contributing to the cultural movements of his time. His literary output and academic leadership established him as a central figure in the Swedish Romantic movement.

## FAQs
**What were Esaias Tegnér's primary professional roles?**
Tegnér served as a poet, a university professor, and eventually a bishop within the Swedish church. His career spanned both the academic world at Lund University and the ecclesiastical hierarchy of Sweden.

**Which literary work is Esaias Tegnér most famous for?**
He is most celebrated for *Frithiof's Saga*, a narrative poem that tells a story and remains one of his most significant literary achievements. This work is a key example of his contribution to the genre of narrative poetry.

**What organizations was Esaias Tegnér a member of?**
He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Swedish Academy, the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities, and the Geatish Society. These affiliations highlight his standing in the scientific, literary, and historical communities of Sweden.

**Where did Esaias Tegnér work and study?**
Tegnér was educated at Lund University, where he later served as a professor. This institution in the province of Scania was the central hub of his academic career.

## Why They Matter
Esaias Tegnér matters because he helped shape the national literary identity of Sweden through his mastery of narrative poetry. His work, particularly *Frithiof's Saga*, provided a cultural touchstone that resonated deeply with the Swedish people and influenced subsequent generations of writers. By bridging the worlds of academia, the church, and literature, he embodied the intellectual ideals of his era. Without his contributions, the canon of Swedish Romantic literature would lack one of its most defining voices, and the development of the Geatish Society's literary goals might have been less impactful. His legacy endures in the continued recognition of his works and the institutions he helped strengthen.

## Notable For
- **Author of *Frithiof's Saga***: A seminal work of narrative poetry in Swedish literature.
- **Academic Leadership**: Serving as a professor at Lund University, a historic institution founded in 1666.
- **Ecclesiastical Role**: Rising to the position of Bishop in the Church of Sweden.
- **Academy Membership**: Being a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Swedish Academy, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities.
- **Literary Society Involvement**: Active participation in the Geatish Society, founded in 1811.
- **Genre Definition**: Significant contributions to the genre of narrative poetry.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Esaias Tegnér was born on November 13, 1782. He was a citizen of Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. His educational journey took place at Lund University, located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania. This university, established on December 19, 1666, served as the foundation for his future career as an academic and intellectual leader.

### Academic and Ecclesiastical Career
Tegnér's professional life was defined by his tenure at Lund University, where he worked as a professor. His academic expertise eventually led to his appointment as a bishop, marking a significant transition from secular academia to religious leadership. Throughout his career, he maintained strong ties to the university, which remained his primary employer. His dual roles as a professor and a bishop allowed him to influence both the intellectual and spiritual life of Sweden during the early 19th century.

### Literary Works and Genre
The core of Tegnér's legacy lies in his literary output, specifically his work in the genre of narrative poetry. His most famous creation is *Frithiof's Saga*, a literary work that tells a story and has become a classic of Swedish literature. This work exemplifies his ability to blend storytelling with poetic form. His contributions to narrative poetry helped elevate the status of the genre within the Swedish cultural landscape.

### Memberships and Affiliations
Tegnér was deeply involved in the intellectual societies of his time. He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which was founded on June 2, 1739. He also belonged to the Swedish Academy, established on March 20, 1786, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities, founded in 1753. Additionally, he was part of the Geatish Society, a literary society that began in 1811. These memberships underscore his high standing among Sweden's leading thinkers and his commitment to the advancement of science, literature, and history.

### Legacy and Recognition
Esaias Tegnér passed away on November 2, 1846, leaving behind a rich legacy as a poet, professor, and bishop. His life and work are documented in various historical records and databases, including the Swedish Biographical Dictionary (SBLV202353) and numerous library catalogs. A park in Stockholm, Sweden, named Tegnérlunden, was established in 1890 in his honor, serving as a physical testament to his enduring influence on Swedish culture. His image and signature are preserved in historical archives, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated. The variety of identifiers associated with his name across different international databases reflects the global recognition of his contributions to literature and academia.

## References

1. [By-Säffle kyrkoarkiv, Födelse- och dopböcker, SE/VA/13069/C I/5 (1781-1821), bildid: C0036828_00018, sida 13. Swedish church birth records](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/C0036828_00018#?c=&m=&s=&cv=17&xywh=734%2C2204%2C3896%2C2845)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Växjö kyrkoarkiv, Död- och begravningsböcker, SE/VaLA/00457/F/1 (1807-1860), bildid: C0026409_00136, sida 237](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/C0026409_00136#?c=&m=&s=&cv=135&xywh=3240%2C2601%2C2959%2C2161)
4. BnF authorities
5. [Svenskt biografiskt handlexikon](https://runeberg.org/sbh/b0591.html)
6. L F Carl Wilhelm Böttiger. Dictionary of Swedish National Biography
7. Concise Literary Encyclopedia
8. Library of the World's Best Literature
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. MusicBrainz
12. [Source](http://www.vitterhetsakad.se/ledamoter/matrikel/307?akademi_id=2&ledamots_typ_id=1)
13. [Q118464718](https://runeberg.org/gotforbund/1/0133.html)
14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
15. Nationalencyklopedin
16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
17. SNAC
18. International Music Score Library Project
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
21. [Biographiske underrättelser om professorer vid kongl. universitetet i Lund, ifrån dess inrättning t ...](https://runeberg.org/bioprof/0337.html)
22. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index15.html)
23. CONOR.SI
24. LIBRIS. 2016
25. Provenio