Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was born in Askeinen in 1867, at the family seat of Louhisaari Manor. Although his father, Carl Robert Mannerheim, had embraced business and moved towards a more bourgeoisie lifestyle, a military career felt like the natural choice for the blue-blooded Mannerheim.

Akseli Gallen-Kallela is one of the great pioneers of Finnish national art. His most famous work depict stories from the Kalevala, the first example being the painting Aino from 1889. There have been several versions of the painting. Gallen-Kallela began his studies at the Swedish Normal Lyceum, while also studying at night at the Finnish Art Society’s Drawing School, which later became the Academy of Fine Arts. He dropped out of school in 1881 so he could spend his days studying at the Drawing School. He also received private lessons from artists such as Adolf von Becker and Albert Edelfelt.

Otto Manninen was a pioneer of Finnish poetry and a notable translator of poetry into Finnish. He became the leading writer of concise Finnish poetry of his time. His poems have been described as Spartan and tightly bound knots of words.

Frans Emil Sillanpää was the first Finnish recipient of the Nobel Prize, and to date the only Finn to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature. He had no plans to become a writer when he enrolled at the University, and instead pursued a career in medicine. Although Sillanpää dropped out of medical school, he nevertheless adopted a worldview based on natural philosophy. This was evident in his debut novel, published in 1916, Elämä ja aurinko (‘Life and Sun’), as well as in his later output.

The literary career of Ilmari Kianto lasted over sixty years, during which time he published over sixty works. The picture we have of his life and career is very much defined by the legend he himself cultivated. His life and works included criticism of the intelligentsia, contemplation of sexual questions, and opprobrium towards the church, religion and politics.

Lennart Meri is widely remembered as the President of Estonia (1992-2001). However, he started out as a writer, producer and film director. His father, Georg-Peeter Meri, was a diplomat and translator, and consequently the family travelled extensively and Lennart learned to speak several languages fluently. He could speak Finnish, French, German, English and Russian.

Esteri Vapaa-Jää was originally interested in pursuing a medical career, but after the Second World War all the places at the Faculty of Medicine were reserved for men returning from military service. She found another career at the Helsinki Craft School. The shortages caused by the war went on long after the last battles had been fought, which necessitated particular ingenuity from craftspeople. For example, during her studies, Vapaa-Jää found herself considering novel uses for handkerchiefs.

Mirkka Rekola made her debut as a poet in the 1950s, and her career spanned over half a century. The central theme of her poetry was dualism. Of those authors who began their careers in the mid-to-late 20th century, She is considered one of the few whose works can be listed among the undisputed classics of Finnish literature.