Johan Ludwig Runeberg was a Finnish poet born on February 5, 1804, in Jakobstad, Finland. He is best known for his contributions to Finnish literature and is often regarded as the national poet of Finland. His most famous work, the epic poem The Tales of Ensign Stål, celebrates Finnish history and culture, particularly during the Finnish War. Runeberg's poetry often reflects themes of patriotism and nature, and he wrote in both Swedish and Finnish. He played a significant role in the development of Finnish national identity during the 19th century. Runeberg passed away on May 6, 1877, leaving a lasting legacy in Finnish literature.