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xviii
xviii INTRODUCTION
a tutor to several neighboring families. For more than a
year Esaias accompanied his brother on his rounds; with
the irregular teaching that he thus received, he learned
Latin, Greek, and French. He taught himself English by
reading Macpherson’s Ossian, which was then at the height
of its popularity in Sweden. Finally, Lars Gustaf accepted
a position as tutor to the seven children of Myhrman, a
prosperous iron-manufacturer,on the condition that Esaias
should be allowed to go with him. Here Tegner led a happy
existence, with pleasantcompanions,studying diligently and
reading extensively.
Two years later, in 1799, he and three of Myhrman’s
sons, one of whom was to be his room-mate, entered the
University of Lund. Branting and Myhrman paid his
expenses. In 1802 he was crowned with the laurel wreath as
the foremost of twenty-four successful candidates for the
degree of Master of Arts. He was almost expelled at this
time for taking part in a hostile demonstration outside the
house of the unpopular university rector, but was
pardoned because of his scholastic standing. After his
graduation he received the combined positions of docent in
aesthetics, secretary to the philosophical faculty, and assistant
university librarian. He spent his summer vacations with
the Myhrmans at Ramen, where he paid special attentions
to the daughter, Anna, whom he married in 1806.
The following years were the brightest in Tegner’s life.
He was strong, eager, energetic, an inspiring and beloved
teacher. His joy in living was evident in everything he
did. He had already begun to write. His literary
development proceeded slowly, however, and few of his early
works have much merit. In 1808, inspired by the national
sorrow over the loss of Finland, he wrote his first success-
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