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Frans Eemil Sillanpää (pronounced[frɑnsˈeːmilˈsilːɑmˌpæː]ⓘ; 16 September 1888 – 3 June 1964) was a Finnish writer. In 1939, he became the first Finnish writer to be awarded theNobel Prize for Literature "for his deep understanding of his country's peasantry and the exquisite art with which he has portrayed their way of life and their relationship with Nature".[1]
Frans Eemil Sillanpää was born into a peasant farming family inHämeenkyrö. Although his parents were poor, they managed to send him to school inTampere. At school Sillanpää was a good student and with aid from his benefactor Henrik Liljeroos he entered theUniversity of Helsinki in 1908 to study medicine.[2][3] His acquaintances at university included the paintersEero Järnefelt andPekka Halonen, composerJean Sibelius and authorJuhani Aho.[2]
In 1913 Sillanpää moved from Helsinki to his old home village and devoted himself to writing.[4] In 1914 Sillanpää wrote articles for the newspaperUusi Suometar.[2] In 1916 Sillanpää married Sigrid Maria Salomäki, whom he had met in 1914.[2]
By principle, Sillanpää was against all forms of violence and believed in scientific optimism.[5] In his work he portrayed rural people as living united with the land.[2]
The novelHurskas kurjuus (Meek Heritage) (1919) depicted the reasons forFinnish Civil War and was controversial at the time due to its objective approach.[6]
Sillanpää won international fame[citation needed] for his novelNuorena nukkunut (translated to English asThe Maid Silja) in 1931.
In 1939, Sillanpää was awarded theNobel Prize in Literature "for his deep understanding of his country's peasantry and the exquisite art with which he has portrayed their way of life and their relationship with Nature."[7] A few days after he received the prize, talks between Finland and Soviet Union broke down and theWinter War began.[3][8] Sillanpää traveled to Stockholm to receive the Nobel Prize[3] and donated the golden medal to be melted for funds to aid the war effort.[8]
Before the Winter War, Sillanpää wrote the lyrics forSillanpään marssilaulu to lift his spirits when his eldest son Esko was partaking in military practices atKarelian Isthmus.[9]
In 1939, Sillanpää's wife Sigrid died ofpneumonia leaving him with eight children.[3] Some time after, Sillanpää married his secretary Anna von Hertzen (1900–1983).[3]
In 1941 Sillanpää divorced his wife Anna. His alcoholism and other ailments needed hospital treatment. In 1943 he returned to public life as a bearded old 'Grandpa Sillanpää'. His radio appearances, especially his tradition of speaking on Christmas Eve from 1945 to 1963 attracted listeners.[10]
