EKELUND, VILHELM

(1880-1949)

   A Swedish poet and essayist, Ekelund was born in the district of Skane in southern Sweden. His first poetry collection, Vårbris (1900; Spring Breeze), celebrates that part of the country in the style of some of his contemporaries. His second volume, Syner (1901; Visions), was a significant breakthrough for him, however, for in it he turned to free verse, the first Swedish poet to do so consistently. Many of the poems in Melodier is skymningen (1902; Melodies in the Twilight) deal with the concept of poetry itself, while those in Elegier (1903; Elegies) touch on the theme of love. This theme becomes increasingly important in H vets stjarna (1906; The Ocean's Star) and Dithyramber i aftonglans (1906; Dithyrambs in Evening Splendor).

   Influenced by the work of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844—1900), Ekelund produced such collections of essays and aphorisms as Antikt ideal (1909; The Ideal of Classical Antiquity) and Nordiskt och klassiskt (1914; Nordic and Classical). Throughout his long career, which included many additional volumes of poetry and prose, Ekelund was highly regarded by, and had great influence on, other poets in Sweden.