1815-1880.
Poet, photographer.
After the father Gustav, who was vicar in Västeråker and Dalby, died in 1828, the mother Alida and daughter Thekla moved to Uppsala. They settled in the house at the northern end of Östra Ågatan, which is now part of the Fjellstedt School premises under the name Kavaljeren.
Thekla Knös and her mother became known in Uppsala as 'de små knösarna' (the little Knöses) and participated diligently in the social and literary life of the city. Thekla Knös gave language lessons and the 'little Knöses' also held literary salons in their home with the participation of Geijer, Atterbom, Järta, Törneros and Wennerberg. Knös also made translations, which was an income for many upper-middle-class women in the 19th century.
At Atterbom's urging, Knös competed in the Academy with the poetry cycle Ragnar Lodbrok and won the Swedish Academy's Grand Prize in 1851. Several of her works were also set to music.
She also published Fotografier över det forna Uppsalivet, the book Året, with the subtitle Teckningar ur barndomslivet, and storybooks and other books for children.
After her mother's death in 1855, Knös suffered from a deep depression, and what kept her going was her religiousness and her friends. She stayed with various friends and relatives and was also looked after by Malla Silfverstolpe for a time. However, her mental health deteriorated and Thekla Knös died after 16 years in Växjö Hospital.
The following example of Knö's poetry is taken from the poem 'Desire in the drawing room' from Dikter, Band 1-2, 1852-1853.
Alas, the hall was now beaming.
Alas, it was hastily changed
To the quiet, shady valley.
Where happy hours have fled!
O! be the soft couch
My dear, mossy stone!
And the carpet- floral plan,
And the lamp-the glow of the evening sun!Oh, to be a whispering tern
A tender and shimmering birch;
Be a bowing gentleman - how nice!
A fir tree whispering dark!
The music - the birds chirping
And the murmur - the song of the waves!
But - in the lounge I am sitting,
And time makes me long.
Burial site: 0112-0591
Image description: Thekla Knös, year unknown. Photo: Svenskt biografiskt lexikon / RiksarkivetThe image is cropped]
Click here for an uncropped image
