Sofie Lithenius (1847–1926) was a Finnish composer, educator, and children’s author who played a pioneering role in the development of music education in Finland. Born in Turku into a musical family, she pursued a career as a primary school teacher, teaching singing, crafts, and geography in various Swedish-speaking schools across Finland. Alongside her teaching, she studied music theory with Richard Faltin and attended lectures at the Helsinki Music Institute, also completing a voice teacher’s examination.
Lithenius was a prolific composer, particularly noted for her contributions to children's music. Her works include solo songs, part-songs, singing games, and minor musical theatre pieces, often infused with patriotic themes and inspired by fairy tales and nature. Notably, her Christmas songs "Sinivuorten yö" ("Night in the Blue Mountains") and "Joulu tullut on" ("Christmas Has Come") remain part of Finland's core Christmas repertoire. She also set texts by poets such as J.L. Runeberg and Zachris Topelius, including the popular children's song "Pikku Lauri" ("Little Lauri").
Her compositions were widely published in both Finnish and Swedish, and her melodic writing was praised for its natural simplicity and educational value. Lithenius's songs became standard repertoire in Finnish homes and schools in the early 20th century, solidifying her legacy as a key figure in Finnish music.
