Matthias Johann Eisen

Matthias Johann Eisen (also published under the name M. J. Eisen; 28 September 1857 – 6 August 1934) was a prominent Estonian folklorist and clergyman whose life's work centred on the preservation of national heritage.

He was a prolific translator and poet. Eisen’s most enduring legacy lies in his massive effort to document Estonian folklore. He is best known for his thorough collection and systematic typology of Estonian folk tales, totaling over 90,000 pages.

His work significantly influenced later Estonian literature and his folklore materials have been used by authors such as Andrus Kivirähk. He has also been described as the founder of Estonian science fiction.

Early life

Eisen was born in Oese village, in Vigala Parish, Rapla County, Estonia to a schoolteacher. He pursued theological studies in Haapsalu and Pärnu before graduating from the University of Tartu in 1885.

Works Folklore collection As a university student, Eisen published his first major collections: the folktales ‘Esivanemate varandus’ ("Ancestral Treasure", 1882) and Endise põlwe pärandus ("The Inheritance of the Former Generation," 1883). He also contributed to the 1881 poetry anthology Eesti luuletused ("Estonian Poems") and played a key role in compiling and publishing Eesti rahva mõistatused ("Riddles of the Estonians", 1889).

Endise põlwe pärandus [The Inheritance of the Former Generation] (1883) Wanapagana jutud [Tales of the Old Heathen] (1893) Krati-raamat [The Kratt Book] (1895) Luupainaja [Nightmare] (1896) Kodukäijad [The Revenants] (1897) Tallinnas aastal 2000 [In Tallinn in the Year 2000] (1903) Kuninga-jutud [King Tales] (1906, 2nd ed.) Eesti-, Liiwi- ja Kuramaa ajalugu [History of Estonia, Livonia, and Courland] (1913) Eesti mütoloogia [Estonian Mythology] Eesti mütoloogia (1919) Eesti uuem mütoloogia (1920) Esivanemate ohverdamised (1920) Eesti vana usk (1926) Esivanemate varandus. [Ancestral Treasure] ‘Esivanemate varandus. Kohalised Eesti muinasjutud’ [Ancestral Treasure: Local Estonian Folk Tales]. (2002) ‘Esivanemate varandus. II, Kodused jutud’ [Ancestral Treasure II: Homely Tales]. Tartu (2002) ‘Esivanemate varandus. III, Narvast Tallinna’ [Ancestral Treasure III: From Narva to Tallinn] (2002) Daani hindamise raamat [Danish Appraisal Book] (1920) Tõll ja ta sugu [Tõll and His Kin] (1927) Eesti vanasõnad [Estonian Proverbs] (1929, 2nd ed.) Meie jõulud [Our Christmas] (1931)