Betty Elfving

Betty Gustafva Lovisa Elfving (16 March 1837 – 29 October 1923) pen name Aura, was a Finnish writer. She is known for her Historical fictions, which once gained popularity especially among young people.

Personal history

Betty Elfving was born in Pori in 1837 to a middle-class family. His father was Professor Johan Fredrik Elfving, who was originally the son of a blacksmith, but then rose to an exceptionally high social rank: professor and district physician. The mother's name was Vendla Elfving (own surname Sucksdorff), and she belonged to a middle-class family.

Betty Elfving's home was Swedish-speaking, but Elfving became an avid lover of the Finnish language at a young age. Nevertheless, she wrote the novels in Swedish, from which they were translated into Finnish. Elfving's works were not published in Swedish at all. Elfving was also interested in History of Finland, which is reflected in his works. Betty Elfving was completely different in her hobby of the Finnish language from her younger brother, botany professor Fredrik Elfving, who was one of Sweden's most enthusiastic supporters. Politically, Betty Elfving was close to Finnish youth circles.

Elfving was a close friend of Emilie Bergbom, who influenced Finnish theatre. They had gotten to know each other in the 1870s at the academy in a group lectured by women and corresponded until Bergbom's death. In his letters to Elfving, Bergbom could vent his worries that he could not talk about with others. Elfving's close relationship with Bergbom is also indicated by the fact that together with Bergbom's brother Kaarlo Bergbom, they made a trip to Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin.