Zacharias Topelius

Finnish writer, poet, journalist and professor at the University of Helsinki. Although Topelius published almost all of his literary work in Swedish, he also produced the libretto for the first Finnish-language opera, Kaarle Kuninkaan Metsästys (King Charles's Hunt), which was composed by Fredrik Pacius. Born: 14 January 1818 at Kuddnäs Farm near Uusikaarlepyy, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire [now Finland] Died: 12 March 1898 in Sipoo, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire [now Finland]