W. F. (William Forsell) Kirby

W. F. (William Forsell) Kirby
William Forsell Kirby (1844–1912) was a British entomologist and folklorist best known for his work on insects, particularly butterflies and moths. He authored several important texts, including "A Hand-book to the Order Lepidoptera," a comprehensive guide to butterflies. Kirby also contributed translations of Finnish epic poetry, including "The Kalevala" and "The Kanteletar," into English, helping to popularize these works in the English-speaking world. His writings blended his deep scientific knowledge with a passion for folklore and literature.

Author's Books:


INTRODUCTION The Kalevala, or the Land of Heroes, as the word may be freely rendered, is the national epic of Finland, and as that country and its literature are still comparatively little known to English readers, some preliminary explanations are here necessary. On reference to a map of Europe, it will be seen that the north-western portion of the Russian Empire forms almost a peninsula, surrounded,... more...

INTRODUCTION ESTHONIA Esthonia, or Estonia, as some prefer to write it, is the most northerly of the three so-called German or Baltic provinces of Russia—Esthonia, Livonia, and Courland. It is bounded on the north by the Gulf of Finland, which lies between that country and Esthonia; on the east by the Government of St. Petersburg; on the south by Livonia, and on the west by the Baltic. Opposite its... more...

Lemminkainen, greatly offended that he was not invited to the wedding, resolves to go to Pohjola, although his mother dissuades him from it, and warns him of the many dangers that he will have to encounter (1-382). He sets forth and succeeds in passing all the dangerous places by his skill in magic (383-776).Ahti dwelt upon an island,By the bay near Kauko's headland,And his fields he tilled... more...