Elias Lönnrot

Elias Lönnrot was a Finnish scholar and philologist, born in 1802, known for collecting, studying, and compiling Finnish oral poetry and folk tales. He assembled these traditional poems into the *Kalevala*, Finland's national epic, which played a crucial role in shaping Finnish cultural identity. Lönnrot's work preserved Finland's ancient oral literature, blending various regional tales into a cohesive literary treasure. His efforts contributed significantly to Finnish language, literature, and national consciousness, making him a key figure in Finland's cultural heritage.