Mikael Agricola

Finnish clergyman and de facto founder of literary Finnish

Mikael Agricola (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈmikɑel ˈɑɡrikolɑ] audio speaker iconpronunciation ) (c. 1510 – 9 April 1557) was a priest who is often called the "father of written Finnish".[1] In addition, Agricola, Aleksis Kivi and Elias Lönnrot are regarded fathers of a national literature in Finnish.[2]

Mikael Agricola
Mikael Agricola
Mikael Agricola
Bornc. 1510
Torsby, Pernå, Uusimaa (Nyland), Finland
Died(1557-04-09)9 April 1557
Kyrönniemi
Resting placeViipuri
Occupationpriest, bishop, diplomat
Monument to Agricola in Vyborg

In his time, Finland was part of Sweden, a Catholic country. He learned the ideas of the Reformation, and thought everyone should be able to read the Bible. To help people in Finland to learn to read, Agricola published a ABC book and a prayer book in Finnish around year 1544. He also translated large sections of the Bible into Finnish.[3]

References

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  1. Chung Lee Tan, Finland (Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 2007), p. 90
  2. Kivi, Aleksis (1834 - 1872) The National Biography of Finland
  3. Dan Graves. "Michael Agricola, Father of Finnish Literature". Christianity.com. Retrieved 6 March 2016.

Other websites

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