Sven Birger Fredrik Jansson (1906-1987) was a foreign lecturer 1933–39 at universities such as Reykjavik, antiquarian at the Swedish National Heritage Board (1947–55), professor of Runology at Stockholm University (1955–66) and National Antiquarian (1966-72).[1]

Sven B. F. Jansson painting runes on the Granby Runestone in Vallentuna in 1980.

Career and personal life

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His Ph.D. discussed the Old Icelandic Vinland sagas. He was also the editor of several tomes in Sveriges runinskrifter, in which many interpretations are based on his work.[1]

Through radio shows and personal connections at field surveys, Jansson was to be widely known. He was a colourful speaker, and his sense of humour and his enthusiasm for the topic was important in creating a wider interest in the public for runes and Scandinavian pre-history.[1]

He was the father of Gunnel Engwall.[1]

Works

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  • Gotlands runinskrifter, del 1 (1962), Sveriges runinskrifter 11, tillsammans med Elias Wessén.
  • Gästriklands runinskrifter, Sveriges runinskrifter 15:1 (1981).
  • Isländsk-svensk ordbok, Íslenzk-Sænsk Orðabók, Rabén & Sjögren Bokförlag, Kungälv (1989).
  • Närkes runinskrifter, Sveriges runinskrifter 14:1 (1975).
  • "Pireuslejonets runor", Nordisk Tidskrift för vetenskap konst och industri, utgiven av Letterstedtska Föreningen. Stockholm (1984).
  • Runes of Sweden. Stockholm (1987).
  • Runinskrifter i Sverige, Stockholm (1963, 1984).
  • Sagorna om Vinland – handskrifterna till Erik den rödes saga, Wahlström & Widstrand, Stockholm (1945).
  • Upplands runinskrifter, del 1–4 (1940–58), Sveriges runinskrifter 6–9, tillsammans med Elias Wessén.
  • Värmlands runinskrifter, Sveriges runinskrifter 14:2 (1978).
  • Västmanlands runinskrifter, Sveriges runinskrifter 13 (1964).
  • Norstedts isländsk-svenska ordbok, sjunde upplagan (2005).

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Entry Sven B.F. Jansson in Nationalencyklopedin, retrieved 22 January 2021.