Karlfeldt, Erik Axel (1864-1931), a Swedish poet, won the 1931 Nobel Prize for literature. Karlfeldt had previously refused the prize in 1918, claiming his work was not sufficiently known outside Sweden and that other Swedish writers had already received the prize. The 1931 prize was awarded to him shortly after his death.
Karlfeldt wrote nature poetry strongly tied to the peasant culture of his native province of Dalarna in central Sweden. The poetry reflects the traditional language, folklore, and customs of the province. Critics generally attacked Karlfeldt’s traditional style and regional subject matter, but his verse was popular with readers. His most important poems were published in six collections from 1895 to 1927. Many of the poems were translated into English in the collection Arcadia Borealis (1938).
Karlfeldt was born on July 20, 1864, in Folkärna, Sweden. From 1912 until his death, he served as secretary of the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, which awards the annual Nobel Prize in literature. He died on April 8, 1931.
