Stiernhielm, Georg (1598-1672)

Swedish poet. From about 1640, he was court poet to Queen Christina. He wrote sonnets, lyrics, and idylls, and the allegorical poem Hercules 1647. A man of great learning, Stiernhielm has been called the founder of Swedish poetry. He helped to raise poetry in popular esteem and harmonize traditional Swedish culture with literary styles adopted from the rest of Europe.