Bengt R. Jonsson

Swedish folklorist and literary historian, especially known as a ballad researcher, born March 19, 1930 in Vänersborg, died September 7, 2008. He became a doctor of philosophy and associate professor in 1967. He was a Swedish lecturer in Aberdeen 1953–1954 and archive director at the Swedish Song Archive 1954–1995. He received the title of professor in 1978. He was the editor of Sumlen. "Årsbok för vis- och folkmusikforskning" from 1976 until his death and for ARV. Scandinavian Yearbook of Folklore 1979–1992. Jonsson was a board member of the Nordic Institute for Folk Poetry in Turku 1971–1977, the Society for Poetry Research from 1971 (secretary), Evert Taubesällskapet from 1979, vice chairman 1980–1995, member of the Arts Council 1979–1982 (vice chairman 1980–1982) and chairman in its working group for musical art 1979–1982. He was elected a member of the Royal Gustav Adolf Academy of Swedish Folk Culture in 1974, of the Norwegian Academy of Sciences in 1977 and of the Royal Society for the publication of manuscripts concerning the history of Scandinavia in 1977.