Lönnrot

Elias Lönnrot (1802–1884) was a Finnish physician, philologist, and collector of folklore who is best known for compiling the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic, from oral poetry gathered in Finland and Karelia.

While pursuing his medical career, he travelled extensively to collect traditional runo songs from rural storytellers, then wove these materials into a cohesive epic that preserves the cadence and imagery of the original folk texts. The Kalevala was first published in 1835, with a substantially revised edition appearing in 1849.

Lönnrot also compiled the Kanteletar, a companion collection of Finnish poetry that complements the Kalevala. His work contributed to the development of Finnish literary language, helped socialize a sense of national identity, and influenced late Romantic Finnish culture and music.

Lönnrot's legacy endures in Finnish literature and folklore studies, and his editions remain foundational resources for scholars.