Elin Brandell


Elin Brandell, was a Swedish journalist and author. As a journalist, she was known under her signatures Opolitiska frun, Regan and Clementine.
Elin Brandell was the daughter of professor Pontus Henriques and married in 1908 to journalist Simon Brandell. She was employed at Dagens Nyheter in 1906–1937. Elin Brandell belonged to a club called Ligan of female journalists including Elin Wägner, Gerda Marcus, Ester Blenda Nordström, Ellen Rydelius, Ellen Landquist, Agnes Lindhagen, Tora Bonnier and Célie Brunius. In 1912, she became the first woman to be given a foreign trip scholarship by Publicistklubben.
Elin Brandell belonged to the elite of the Swedish press during her career and was well known celebrity. Her style is described as neutral but witty and intellectual. She is foremost known as Opolitiska frun, the signature under which she covered the debates in parliament from the gallery of the Riksdag. The MP Ivar Anderson recalled how it was regarded as a distinction for an MP to be portrayed by her: