Birger Sjöberg

Birger Sjöberg (1885–1929) was a Swedish poet, novelist and songwriter, whose best-known works include the faux-naïf song collection Fridas Bok (Frida's Book) and the novel Kvartetten Som Sprängdes (The Quartet That Split Up), a somewhat Dickensian relation about stock-exchange gambling in the twenties, and the frantic efforts to recover.

Originally a journalist, Sjöberg wrote songs in his spare time. His debuted as a serious writer with the 1922 publication of Fridas Bok (Frida's Book), which was both a critical and popular success. Following a series of concert tours, he withdrew from public life and focused on his writing.

After his death in 1929, a new series of songs and a selection of poems were published.

Selected works
Prose and poetry by Birger Sjöberg:
 * Fridas Bok (Frida's Book) 1922
 * Kvartetten Som Sprängdes (The Quartet That Split Up) 1924
 * Kriser Och Kransar (Crises And Laurel Wreaths) 1926
 * Fridas Andra Bok (Frida's Second Book) 1929
 * Minnen Från Jorden (Memories From The Earth) 1940

Translations of his works in English

 * Anthology of Swedish Lyrics 1930
 * Modern Swedish Poetry Pt. 2 1936
 * Scandinavian Songs and Ballads 1950
 * Twentieth Century Scandinavian Poetry 1950
 * Twelve Pieces from Frida’s Book 1975
 * When First I Ever Saw You LP 1980
 * Swedes On Love CD 1991
 * Frida's New Clothes 2008

His life in English

 * A History of Swedish Literature 1961
 * A History of Swedish Literature 1989
 * A History of Swedish Literature 1996