Background
He was born in Ylivieska, the eldest son of day labourers.
He was born in Ylivieska, the eldest son of day labourers.
His depictions of peasant life, quickly translated and published in Germany and Scandinavia, are among the first examples of modern Finnish literature. In 1856 he obtained a post as an assistant clerk, and slowly furthered his career in the administration before entering politics. He began writing for newspapers in 1858.
His autobiography, My Life, dates from 1877, and was written to pass the time during forced bedrest after breaking his legal
He participated in the Diets of 1882, 1885, 1888 and 1891, and the Synod in 1876, 1886 and 1893.