Frans Michael Franzén

Frans Michael Franzén (February 9, 1772 - August 14, 1847) was a Swedish poet. Franzén was born at Oulu ( _sv. Uleåborg) in Finland during the Swedish reign, at thirteen he entered the University of Åbo, where he attended the lectures of Henrik Gabriel Porthan (1739-1804), a pioneer in the study of Finnish history and legend. He graduated in 1789, and became "eloquentiae docens" in 1792. Three years later he started on a tour through Denmark, Germany, France and England, returning in 1796 to accept the office of university librarian at Åbo. In 1801 he became professor of history and ethics, and in 1808 was elected a member of the Swedish Academy. On the secession of Finland to Russia, Franzén removed to Sweden, where he was successively appointed parish priest of Kumla in the diocese of Strängnäs (1810), minister of the Clara Church in Stockholm (1824) and bishop of Härnösand (1831). Franzén's son-in-law was Anders Abraham Grafström, the poet and historian. Grafström, who served alongside him in the Swedish Academy, was Franzén's biographer.

References

*1911