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Erik Axel Karlfeldt




Erik Axel Karlfeldt ( July 20 , 1864April 8 , 1931 ) was a Swedish Poet whose essentially regional, tradition-bound Poetry was extremely popular and won him the Nobel Prize In Literature posthumously in 1931; he had refused it in 1918 .

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 , simultaneouosly supporting himself by teaching school in several places, including the Stockholm suburb of Djursholm and 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 Causa in 1917 .


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