Rikshistoriograf
Encyclopedia
The position of rikshistoriograf (Swedish
, known in Latin
as historiographus regni, i.e. Historiographer of the Realm or Royal Historiographer), existed in Sweden
from the early 17th century until 1834.
The first appointment of a similar nature was that of the Dutch scholar Daniel Heinsius
, appointed in 1618 by Gustavus Adolphus
to be historicus regni, but it is not known if he did anything as part of this position. In the reign of Queen Christina
, several individuals were appointed either just "historiographer" or "historiographer royal", with occasionally several at the same time holding the position. In 1642, Arnold Johan Messenius
and Johannes Loccenius are mentioned as historiographers, a couple of years later Bogislaus Philipp von Chemnitz, and a few years later they are all called rikshistoriograf. The title was also given to Johannes Casparus Freinsheimius and Johan Henrik Boeclerus. Johannes Widekindi was appointed in 1665, later accompanied by Samuel von Pufendorf
.
Several of the early historiographers royal were foreigners, but the statutes of 1720 for the royal chancellery prescribed that the position had to be filled by a person of Swedish nationality. The following holders of the position were Claudius Örnhiälm, Petrus Lagerlööf, Olof Hermelin, B. Högvall, Jacob Wilde, Olof von Dalin
, Magnus von Celse, Anders Schönberg, Jonas Hallenberg and Friedrich Conrad Albrekt Broman, the last three partly concurrently, with Hallenberg, who held the position until his death in 1834, being the last to do so; it was formally abolished in 1835.
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
, known in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
as historiographus regni, i.e. Historiographer of the Realm or Royal Historiographer), existed in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
from the early 17th century until 1834.
The first appointment of a similar nature was that of the Dutch scholar Daniel Heinsius
Daniel Heinsius
Daniel Heinsius was one of the most famous scholars of the Dutch Renaissance.-His youth and student years:...
, appointed in 1618 by Gustavus Adolphus
Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Gustav II Adolf has been widely known in English by his Latinized name Gustavus Adolphus Magnus and variously in historical writings also as Gustavus, or Gustavus the Great, or Gustav Adolph the Great,...
to be historicus regni, but it is not known if he did anything as part of this position. In the reign of Queen Christina
Christina of Sweden
Christina , later adopted the name Christina Alexandra, was Queen regnant of Swedes, Goths and Vandals, Grand Princess of Finland, and Duchess of Ingria, Estonia, Livonia and Karelia, from 1633 to 1654. She was the only surviving legitimate child of King Gustav II Adolph and his wife Maria Eleonora...
, several individuals were appointed either just "historiographer" or "historiographer royal", with occasionally several at the same time holding the position. In 1642, Arnold Johan Messenius
Arnold Johan Messenius
Arnold Johan Messenius was a Swedish enfant terrible and Rikshistoriograf who was condemned to death and executed under the reign of Christina, Queen of Sweden.-Life:Arnold was the son of the historian Johannes Messenius...
and Johannes Loccenius are mentioned as historiographers, a couple of years later Bogislaus Philipp von Chemnitz, and a few years later they are all called rikshistoriograf. The title was also given to Johannes Casparus Freinsheimius and Johan Henrik Boeclerus. Johannes Widekindi was appointed in 1665, later accompanied by Samuel von Pufendorf
Samuel von Pufendorf
Baron Samuel von Pufendorf was a German jurist, political philosopher, economist, statesman, and historian. His name was just Samuel Pufendorf until he was ennobled in 1684; he was made a Freiherr a few months before his death in 1694...
.
Several of the early historiographers royal were foreigners, but the statutes of 1720 for the royal chancellery prescribed that the position had to be filled by a person of Swedish nationality. The following holders of the position were Claudius Örnhiälm, Petrus Lagerlööf, Olof Hermelin, B. Högvall, Jacob Wilde, Olof von Dalin
Olof von Dalin
Olof von Dalin was a Swedish nobleman, poet, historian and courtier. He was an influential literary figure of the Swedish Enlightenment.-Background:...
, Magnus von Celse, Anders Schönberg, Jonas Hallenberg and Friedrich Conrad Albrekt Broman, the last three partly concurrently, with Hallenberg, who held the position until his death in 1834, being the last to do so; it was formally abolished in 1835.
See also
- Historiographer Royal (England)Historiographer Royal (England)In England the office of Historiographer Royal, a historian under the official patronage of the royal court, was created in 1660 with an annual salary of £200 and a butt of sack.-Historiographers Royal:Holders of the office included:...
, created 1660 - Historiographer Royal (Scotland), created 1681 and still extant