Gunnar Wennerberg (1817-1901), Swedish poet, composer and politician. Artist Carl Johan Eldh created this statue . It was a gift from the Wennerberg Memorial Association to the City of Minneapolis and stands in Minnehaha Park. A plaque on the back of the sculpture includes the poem: 'Oh God, who rulest fate of nations, Almighty thou in every land, Who holdest life and death’s privations. Within the hollow of thy hand, Whatever punishment thou wieldest For Svea’s sin of yore ‘gainst thee, Endure she will, if thou but shieldest Her immemorial liberty' Svea = Mother Sweden