Cornelis Vreeswijk (8 August 1937 – 12 November 1987) was a Swedish/Dutch singer-songwriter, poet and actor, born in IJmuiden in the Netherlands. His first Swedish album, Ballader och oförskämdheter (Ballads and rudenesses), was released in 1964. His first Dutch album was released in 1972, after ten successful Swedish albums. He emigrated to Sweden with his parents in 1949 at the age of twelve. He was educated as a social worker and hoped to become a journalist, but became increasingly involved in music, performing at events for students.