Arvid Genetz

Arvid Oskar Gustaf Genetz (1 July 1848— 3 May 1915) was a Finnish politician, poet and linguist. He wrote under the pseudonym Arvi Jännes. His best known poems are "Herää Suomi", "Karjala" and "Väinölän lapset". He was a member of the Senate of Finland from 1901 to 1905.

Background

He was born in Impilahti, Finland. His parents were Carl Johan Garbriel Genetz and Laura Charlotta Ferrin. His brother was the Finnish composer Emil Genetz (1852–1930).

Genetz was married in 1877 with Julia Eva Maria Arppe (1851–1931). He and his wife had six children: sons Juho, Arvi, Niilo and Paavo, and daughters Laura and Helvi. Poet and author Saima Harmaja (1913–1937) was his granddaughter.

Career

Genetz graduated from the gymnasium in 1866, graduated from the Imperial Alexander University (now University of Helsinki) as a candidate doctor in 1871 and received his doctorate in 1877. He initially worked as a Finnish and Swedish teacher at the Lyceum in Hämeenlinna, and then served as a lecturer at the University of Helsinki in the School of Finnish language and literature, in 1877. Genetz served under Professor August Ahlqvist (1826–1889) and was elected to the chair held by Professor Ahlqvist after the death of the Finnish language and literature professor in 1891. Genetz competed for this position was his colleague Eemil Nestor Setälä (1864–1935). A year later the position was split in two: Finnish language and literature and Finno-Ugric studies. The latter was the specialty of Genetz, and Setälä became the professor of Finnish language and literature. Genetz worked as a professor until 1901. He died in 1915 in Helsinki.