(yōhän´ sābäs´tyän vĕl´häven) , 1807-73, Norwegian poet and critic. His charming and reflective poetry, tending toward the classical in style, drew much inspiration from Norwegian landscape, legend, and history. As a critic Welhaven led the intellectual opposition to the zealous democrat Wergeland . However, Welhaven shared Wergeland's liberal ideals in modified form, and after Wergeland's death he became the most important arbiter of taste in Norway.
