JOHANN

SEBASTIAN CAMMERMEYER

See also:

• JOHANN SEBASTIAN CAMMERMEYER WELHAVEN (1807-1873)

WELHAVEN (1807-1873)  , Norwegian poet and critic, was born at Bergen, the son of a pastor, in 1807 . He first studied theology, but from 1828 onwards devoted himself to literature . In 184o he became reader and subsequently professor of philosophy at Christiania, and delivered a series of impressive lectures on literary subjects . In 1836 he visited France and Germany; and in 1858 he went to Italy to study archaeology . His influence was extended by his appointment as director of the Society of Arts . He died at Christiania on the 21st of October 1873 . Welhaven made his name as the representative of conservatism in Norwegian literature . In a violent attack on Wergeland's poetry he opposed the theories of the extreme nationalists . He desired to see Norwegian culture brought into line with that of other European countries, and he himself followed the romantic tradition, being most closely influenced by J . L . Heiberg . He represented clearness and moderation against the extravagances of Wergeland .

He gave an admirable

practical exposition of his aesthetic creed in the sonnet cycle Norges Daemring (1834) . He published a volume of Digte in 1839; and in 1845 Nyere Digte . The collections of old Norse poetry made by Asbjornsen and Moe influenced his talent, and he first showed his full powers as a poet in Nyere Digte . His descriptive poetry is admirable, but his best work was inspired by his poems on old Norse subjects, in which he gives himself unreservedly to patriotic enthusiasm . Other poem; followed in 1848, 1852 and 1859 . His critical work includes Ewald og de norske Digtere (1863), Or Ludwig Hot berg (1854) . Welhaven's Samlede Skrifter were publishec in 8 vols. at Copenhagen (1867-1869) .