Frans Michael Franzén

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Frans Michael Franzén (1772–1847) was a Swedish-Finnish poet and clergyman who served as Bishop of Härnösand from 1832 until his death in 1847. Born in Oulu, he entered the Royal Academy of Turku at 13, studied under Henrik Gabriel Porthan, graduated in 1789, and became a teacher of eloquence. He traveled across Europe and later returned to Turku as university librarian in 1796, then as professor of history and ethics. He was elected to the Swedish Academy in 1808 and to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1815. After Finland was ceded to Russia in 1809, he moved to Sweden and held church posts in Strängnäs, at Klara Church in Stockholm, and finally as bishop in Härnösand.

Franzén was married three times; his son-in-law Anders Grafström was a noted poet and biographer. He died in Härnösand in 1847. As a writer, Franzén became popular for simple, heartfelt poems early in his career, with pieces such as Till en ung Flicka and Till Selma, and songs like Goda gasse glaset töm. He also wrote longer works, including Emili eller en afton i Lappland and Svante Sture, and began an epic about Columbus that was unfinished. His poetry was published in collections such as Skaldestycken and later Samlade dikter, some editions including a biography by Grafström. He also produced prose and sermons.