Sten Lindroth
Encyclopedia
Sten Hjalmar Lindroth was a Swedish
historian of learning and science.
Lindroth was born in the university town of Lund
in Southern Sweden, but grew up and went to school in Gothenburg
after his father Hjalmar Lindroth had been appointed to the Chair of Nordic languages at Gothenburg University
. After finishing school in Gothenburg at Göteborgs högre latinläroverk
, he matriculated at Uppsala University
in 1933 and eventually became a student of Johan Nordström, holder of the Emilia and Gustaf Carlberg Chair of the History of ideas and learning, the first of its kind at Uppsala. Lindroth eventually completed a monumental, 500-page dissertation on the history of paracelsianism
in Sweden until the middle of the 17th century, defended in 1943. During his student years he was also active in the Juvenalorden
and the liberal student society Verdandi, for he which he also served as president.
He spent the next decade on a history of the mining and copper production at Stora Kopparberget and a biography of the physicist and inventor Christopher Polhem
, and several shorter publications on various scientific-historical topics. In 1957 he succeeded Nordström as Carlberg Professor. His later publications included a book on the early history of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
(1967), of which he became a member in 1966, a history of Swedish learning from the Middle Ages until the Gustavian period (the fourth and last volume was left unfinished but completed and edited by his former student Gunnar Eriksson
) and an overview of the history of Uppsala University (1976), published on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the university.
Sten Lindroth was elected a Member of the Swedish Academy
in 1968.
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....
historian of learning and science.
Lindroth was born in the university town of Lund
Lund
-Main sights:During the 12th and 13th centuries, when the town was the seat of the archbishop, many churches and monasteries were built. At its peak, Lund had 27 churches, but most of them were demolished as result of the Reformation in 1536. Several medieval buildings remain, including Lund...
in Southern Sweden, but grew up and went to school in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
after his father Hjalmar Lindroth had been appointed to the Chair of Nordic languages at Gothenburg University
Gothenburg University
The University of Gothenburg is a university in Sweden's second largest city, Gothenburg.- Character :The University of Gothenburg is the third-oldest Swedish university, and with 24,900 full-time students it is also among the largest universities in the Nordic countries...
. After finishing school in Gothenburg at Göteborgs högre latinläroverk
Hvitfeldtska gymnasiet
-External links:*...
, he matriculated at Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
in 1933 and eventually became a student of Johan Nordström, holder of the Emilia and Gustaf Carlberg Chair of the History of ideas and learning, the first of its kind at Uppsala. Lindroth eventually completed a monumental, 500-page dissertation on the history of paracelsianism
Paracelsianism
Paracelsianism was a medical movement based on the theories and therapies of Paracelsus. It was prominent in late-16th and 17th century Europe and represented one of the most comprehensive alternatives to the traditional system of therapeutics derived from Galenic physiology...
in Sweden until the middle of the 17th century, defended in 1943. During his student years he was also active in the Juvenalorden
Juvenalorden
Juvenalorden is a student society based at Uppsala University, Sweden. Juvenalorden was founded in 1907, but traces its traditions to the society known as "The Juvenals" , which had been active in the 1830s and 1840s....
and the liberal student society Verdandi, for he which he also served as president.
He spent the next decade on a history of the mining and copper production at Stora Kopparberget and a biography of the physicist and inventor Christopher Polhem
Christopher Polhem
Christopher Polhammar , better known as , which he took after his ennoblement, was a Swedish scientist, inventor and industrialist. He made significant contributions to the economic and industrial development of Sweden, particularly mining.-Biography:Polhem was born on the island of Gotland...
, and several shorter publications on various scientific-historical topics. In 1957 he succeeded Nordström as Carlberg Professor. His later publications included a book on the early history of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences or Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. The Academy is an independent, non-governmental scientific organization which acts to promote the sciences, primarily the natural sciences and mathematics.The Academy was founded on 2...
(1967), of which he became a member in 1966, a history of Swedish learning from the Middle Ages until the Gustavian period (the fourth and last volume was left unfinished but completed and edited by his former student Gunnar Eriksson
Gunnar Eriksson
Gunnar Eriksson was a Swedish cross-country skier who competed in the 1940s. He won the 4 x 10 km gold and the 18 km bronze at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz...
) and an overview of the history of Uppsala University (1976), published on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the university.
Sten Lindroth was elected a Member of the Swedish Academy
Swedish Academy
The Swedish Academy , founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden.-History:The Swedish Academy was founded in 1786 by King Gustav III. Modelled after the Académie française, it has 18 members. The motto of the Academy is "Talent and Taste"...
in 1968.