Welhaven, Johan Sebastian

Welhaven, Johan Sebastian (yōhän' sābäs'tyän vel'hävun) [key], 1807–73, Norwegian poet and critic. His charming and reflective poetry, tending toward the classical in style, drew much inspiration from Norwegian landscape, legend, and history. As a critic Welhaven led the intellectual opposition to the zealous democrat Wergeland. However, Welhaven shared Wergeland's liberal ideals in modified form, and after Wergeland's death he became the most important arbiter of taste in Norway.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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