Helena Ekblom
Encyclopedia
Helena Sophia Ekblom, known as Predikare-Lena (Preacher-Lena) and Vita jungfrun (The White Maiden), (24 June 1790 - 1859) was a Swedish writer
and preacher
.
. Her father worked as a sailor
. At the age of nine, she claimed to have had an religious revelation. In 1806, she began her activity as a travelling preacher. As she was always dressed in white during her sermons, she was called The White Maiden. In 1808, she was placed in the Vadstena
mental asylum. During her stay at the institution, she wrote a book about her revelations, which was published in several editions until 1920.
In 1828, she was released from the asylum and continued her activity as a travelling preacher. She was eventually housed by a farmer. During her old age, she became confused. She died by freezing to death in the snow during winter.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
.
Biography
Helena Ekblom was born in ÖstergötlandÖstergötland
Östergötland, English exonym: East Gothland, is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden in the south of Sweden. It borders Småland, Västergötland, Närke, Södermanland, and the Baltic Sea. In older English literature, one might also encounter the Latinized version, Ostrogothia...
. Her father worked as a sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
. At the age of nine, she claimed to have had an religious revelation. In 1806, she began her activity as a travelling preacher. As she was always dressed in white during her sermons, she was called The White Maiden. In 1808, she was placed in the Vadstena
Vadstena
Vadstena is a locality and the seat of Vadstena Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden, with 5,612 inhabitants in 2005. From 1974 to 1979 Vadstena was administered as part of Motala Municipality....
mental asylum. During her stay at the institution, she wrote a book about her revelations, which was published in several editions until 1920.
In 1828, she was released from the asylum and continued her activity as a travelling preacher. She was eventually housed by a farmer. During her old age, she became confused. She died by freezing to death in the snow during winter.
Works
- Den andeliga striden, wälment författad af Jungfru Helena Sophia Ekblom (The spiritual battle, written in wellmeaning by Maiden Helena Sophia Ekblom)