"One of the most significant and distinctive voices in contemporary Nordic literature," the citation reads.
In addition to his writing, he has engaged in literary research, teaching and working as a translator. Last year, his new translation of the Old English medieval epic "Beowulf" was praised.
Gunnar D Hansson has previously received, among other awards, the Samfundet De Nio Grand Prize and the Swedish Radio Poetry Prize.
The Academy's Nordic Prize is usually called the "Little Nobel Prize" and has been awarded since 1986. It goes to someone in the Nordic countries who has made significant contributions within one of the Academy's areas of activity or interest.
