Mika Waltari
Novelist
Finnish author best known for his influential 1945 historical novel The Egyptian. He was one of the most prolific writers of his era, penning 29 novels, 26 plays and 6 poetry collections.
He was a theology student at the University of Helsinki and published his first book in 1925.
He worked in the Finnish government information center, where used his talents to write political propaganda.
His daughter, Satu, also became a writer.
His most their book, The Egyptian, was adapted into a Hollywood film by Academy Award-winning director Michael Curtiz.