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Olof von Dalin (29 August 1708 – 12 August 1763) was a Swedish nobleman,
In 1723, while studying at Lund University, he first accompanying his stepfather, Severin Böckman, to Stockholm and in 1726 he entered into public office there. Under the patronage of Baron Claes Rålamb (1682–1751) he rapidly rose to favor, and his skill and intelligence won him a golden reputation. In the 1730s, Dalin wrote plays for the theatre, inspired by French dramas and much admired by his contemporaries. In 1733 he started the weekly '' Svenska Argus'', on the model of Joseph Addison's '' The Spectator'', writing anonymously until 1736. ''Svenska Argus'' was a champion of the Enlightenment and aimed to raise the level of culture in Sweden . His next work was ''Tankar öfver Critiquer'' (1736).
He became Royal Librarian (1737–39) and was later appointed Rikshistoriograf (National Historiographer) (1755–56). With the avowed purpose of enlarging the horizons of his cultivation and tastes, Dalin set off, in the company of his pupil, Baron Rålamb's son, on a tour through ''Andrew Ramsay’s and Olof Dalin’s influence on the Romantic Interpretation of Old Norse Mythology'' (Lars Lönnroth. Gothenburg University)
/ref> On the accession of King Adolphus Frederick of Sweden in 1751, Dalin received the post of Tutor to the crown prince – afterwards Gustavus III. He had enjoyed the confidence of Queen Louisa Ulrika, sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia, while she was crown princess, and she now made him secretary of the Swedish Academy of Letters, founded by her in 1753. His position at court involved him in the queen's political intrigues, and separated him to a vexatious degree from the studies wherein he had hitherto been absorbed. He held the post of Tutor to the crown prince until 1756, when he was arrested on suspicion of taking part in the attempted coup d'Ă©tat that year, and was tried for his life before the ''diet''. He was acquitted, but was forbidden to show himself at court on any pretense. This period of exile, lasting until 1761, Dalin spent in the preparation of the third volume of his great historical work, the ''Svea Rikes historia'', that related events up to the death of King Charles IX of Sweden in 1611. The first two volumes appeared in 1746-1750; the third, in two parts, in 1760-1762. Dalin had been made a noble in 1751, and made privy councillor in 1753. In 1761, he once more took his place at court. During his exile, however, his spirit and his health had been broken. In a fit of panic, he had destroyed some manuscripts of his best unpublished works, and this he constantly brooded over. In 1763, he died at his house in Drottningholm.
Olof von Dalin, Swedish II KR stamp
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dalin, Olof 18th-century Swedish male writers 18th-century Swedish poets 1708 births 1763 deaths Age of Liberty people Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences People from Falkenberg Municipality Swedish courtiers Swedish magazine founders Swedish male writers Swedish male poets Swedish nobility Swedish satirists Swedish satirical poets
Olof von Dalin (29 August 1708 – 12 August 1763) was a Swedish nobleman, poet
A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator (thought, thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral t ...
, historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human species; as well as the ...
and courtier. He was an influential literary figure of the Swedish Enlightenment.
Background
Olof Dalin was born in the parish of Vinberg in Halland. His father was the parish minister. His birth name prior to knighthood was Dahlin. Olof Dalin's father had taken his name from his hometown, Dalstorp in the County of Älvsborg. He was closely related to Andreas Rydelius (1671–1738), Bishop of Lund, and he was sent at a very early age to be instructed by him.Carl Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus (23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné,#Blunt, Blunt (2004), p. 171. was a Swedish biologist and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature, the modern system of naming o ...
was one of his fellow-pupils.
Career
In 1723, while studying at Lund University, he first accompanying his stepfather, Severin Böckman, to Stockholm and in 1726 he entered into public office there. Under the patronage of Baron Claes Rålamb (1682–1751) he rapidly rose to favor, and his skill and intelligence won him a golden reputation. In the 1730s, Dalin wrote plays for the theatre, inspired by French dramas and much admired by his contemporaries. In 1733 he started the weekly '' Svenska Argus'', on the model of Joseph Addison's '' The Spectator'', writing anonymously until 1736. ''Svenska Argus'' was a champion of the Enlightenment and aimed to raise the level of culture in Sweden . His next work was ''Tankar öfver Critiquer'' (1736).
He became Royal Librarian (1737–39) and was later appointed Rikshistoriograf (National Historiographer) (1755–56). With the avowed purpose of enlarging the horizons of his cultivation and tastes, Dalin set off, in the company of his pupil, Baron Rålamb's son, on a tour through Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
and France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
, in 1739-1740. Upon his return, the shifting political life at home caused him to write his famous satirical allegories, ''Sagan om Hästen'' and ''Aprilverk'' (1738), that were very popular and inspired countless imitations.
During the early part of his life, he was universally admitted to be ''facile princeps'' among the Swedish poets of his time. His dramas were also of interest, particularly his comedy of ''Den afvundsjuke'' (1738). He also wrote a tragedy, ''Brynilda'' (1759), and a pastoral in three scenes upon King Adolphus Frederick's return from Finland
Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland to the south, ...
.
His didactic epos of ''Svenska Friheten'' appeared in 1742. Hitherto, Addison and Alexander Pope had been his models. In this work he draws his inspiration from Thomson, whose poem, ''Liberty'', he emulated. In 1742, he was made a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Dalin started publishing his Swedish history, ''Svea Rikes Historia'' in 1747. He would die before this work was complete./ref> On the accession of King Adolphus Frederick of Sweden in 1751, Dalin received the post of Tutor to the crown prince – afterwards Gustavus III. He had enjoyed the confidence of Queen Louisa Ulrika, sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia, while she was crown princess, and she now made him secretary of the Swedish Academy of Letters, founded by her in 1753. His position at court involved him in the queen's political intrigues, and separated him to a vexatious degree from the studies wherein he had hitherto been absorbed. He held the post of Tutor to the crown prince until 1756, when he was arrested on suspicion of taking part in the attempted coup d'Ă©tat that year, and was tried for his life before the ''diet''. He was acquitted, but was forbidden to show himself at court on any pretense. This period of exile, lasting until 1761, Dalin spent in the preparation of the third volume of his great historical work, the ''Svea Rikes historia'', that related events up to the death of King Charles IX of Sweden in 1611. The first two volumes appeared in 1746-1750; the third, in two parts, in 1760-1762. Dalin had been made a noble in 1751, and made privy councillor in 1753. In 1761, he once more took his place at court. During his exile, however, his spirit and his health had been broken. In a fit of panic, he had destroyed some manuscripts of his best unpublished works, and this he constantly brooded over. In 1763, he died at his house in Drottningholm.
Posthumous works
In the year 1767, his writings in ''belles lettres'' were issued in six volumes, edited by his half brother, J. C. Bökman. Amid an enormous mass of occasional verses, anagrams, epigrams, impromptus and the like, hissatire
Satire is a genre of the visual, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, often with the intent of exposin ...
s and serious poems were almost buried. But some of these former, even, are found to be songs of remarkable grace and delicacy, and many display a love of natural scenery, and a knowledge of its forms.
Selected works
* ''Brynilda'' (1738) * ''Den afwundsiuke'' (1738) * ''Sagan om hästen'' (1740) * ''Swenska friheten'' (1742) * ''Svea rikes historia'' (Volume 1-4, 1747–1762) * ''Witterhets-Arbeten'' (Volume 1-6, 1767; postumt)Olof von Dalin Society
The Olof von Dalin Society was founded in 1995 at Dalin's native Vinberg near Falkenberg, Sweden. Its mission is to encourage the study, appreciation and understanding of Olof von Dalin, his works, his life and his times.References
Other sources
* Carlsson, Ingemar ''Olof von Dalin - Samhällsdebattör, Historiker, Språkförnyare'' (CAL-förlaget. Falkenberg 1997) * Carlsson, Ingemar ''Olof von Dalin som tecknare'' (Förlag Utsikten, Falkenberg 2003) *Warburg, Karl Johan, ''Olof Dalin: Hans life och gerning: Litterturhistorisk Avhandling'' (Stockholm : Norstedt, 1884) *Wikander, Ruth ''Studier över stil och språk i Dalins Argus'' (Uppsala : Appelberg, 1924)External links
Olof von Dalin, Swedish II KR stamp
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dalin, Olof 18th-century Swedish male writers 18th-century Swedish poets 1708 births 1763 deaths Age of Liberty people Members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences People from Falkenberg Municipality Swedish courtiers Swedish magazine founders Swedish male writers Swedish male poets Swedish nobility Swedish satirists Swedish satirical poets