Henrik Arnold Thoulow Wergeland (born June 17, 1808, Kristiansand, Norway – died July 12, 1845, Christiania[Oslo], Norway) was Norway’s national poet, symbol of independence and a legendary figure.
He was known as a humanitarian and revolutionist whose “Patriot” political group fought against the pro-Danish “Intelligentsia.” He studied at the University of Christiania in 1825 where he studied for the church and after graduating in 1829, he fought in the “Battle of the Square.” He stood against the local governors and initiated the day with the grant of being the first to speak on Norwegian National Day. Later he was coined as the “Folkelærer,” which translates to the teacher and educator of the people, especially to Jews. He fought for the Jew’s rights to be allowed into Norway and have equal rights.
His poetry is what has lasted and some of his famous works include Skabelsen, mennesket og messias(1830; “Creation, Humanity, and Messiah”), Digte, første ring (1829; “Poems, First Cycle,” selections from this and later cycles translated in Poems, 1929), Spaniolen(1833; “The Spaniard”), For arbeidsklassen (“For the Working Class”), and Jøden (1842; “The Jew”). His narrative poems, Jan van Huysums blomsterstykke(1840; “Jan van Huysum’s Flowerpiece”) and Den Engelske lods (1844; “The English Pilot”). Finally, his credo states:
“Heaven shall no more be split
after the quadrants of altars,
the earth no more be sundered and plundered
of tyrant´s sceptres.
Bloodstained crowns, executioner´s steel
torches of thralldom and pyres of sacrifice
no more shall gleam over earth.
Through the gloom of priests, through the thunder of kings,
the dawn of freedom,
bright day of truth
shines over the sky, now the roof of a temple,
and descends on earth,
who now turns into an altar
for brotherly love.
The spirits of the earth now glow
in freshened hearts.
Freedom is the heart of the spirit, Truth the spirit´s desire.
earthly spirits all
to the soil will fall
to the eternal call:
Each in own brow wears his heavenly throne.
Each in own heart wears his altar and sacrificial vessel.
Lords are all on earth, priests are all for God.”
“Henrik Arnold Thaulow Wergeland,” Go Norway, http://www.gonorway.no/norway/articles/1164.
“Henrik Arnold Wergeland,” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henrik-Arnold-Wergeland.
