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iv. education and . mental culture.
P. A. Geijer (born 1841), is an expert in syntax and has developed a specially
important activity as a teacher. H. von Feilitzen (1854—87), editor of early
French texts, was another pioneer in this department. In this sphere, too, C.
W. Wahlund (1846 —1913) was active, but he has also published bibliographical
works. As a philological author in the department of French and
Rhaeto-Romanic, F. G. E. Walberg (born 1873), is eminent.
In Romance historical grammar there have worked: J. Vising (born 1855),
especially devoted to questions of syntax and to Anglo-Norman; G. Rydberg
(born 1861) has published comprehensive works on the general history of the
Romance languages and on that of French, and E. S. Staaff (born 1867) on
the history of Spanish.
Hj|Among those few scholars who have devoted themselves to the Slavonic
tongues may be mentioned T. Torbiörnsson (born 1864).
History.
As in other European countries, the writing of history began in Sweden
during medieval times with annalistic notes in the monasteries. From the
beginning of the 14th century, anonymous chronicles written in verse or
prose began to appear. The earliest real national history is "Chronica Gothorum"
by Erieus Olai (d. 1486), who did not only, like his predecessors, record
isolated events, but also sought to show their inherent connection. From the
earlier half of the 16th century there exist several works by the last Catholic
Archbishop of Sweden, Johannes Magni (1488—1544) and his brother Olaus
Magni (1490—1558), who both died in exile. The former published a strictly
ecclesiastical history of the archbishopric of Uppsala, as well as an extremely
fanciful history of Sweden. The works of his brother are incomparably more
important. He published in Venice a remarkable map of the North, which was
several times reprinted; and later, in Rome, a detailed and very valuable
ethnographic description of Sweden, provided with numerous illustrations.
The greatest Swedish historian during the 16th century was the reformer
Olaus Petri (1493 —1552). By his fine discernment as to the real value of various
sources, as well as by his dispassionate views, he is eminently superior to his
predecessors and immediate successors. His "Svenska krönika" (Swedish
Chronicle) is the foremost work of early Swedish history. The same century also
presents a series of chronicles, partly founded on oral tradition, about the fortunes
and official acts of various kings, and a large number of political pamphlets.
Much superior to these royal chronicles is "Scondia illustrata" by Johannes
Messenius (1579 —1636), a political adventurer educated abroad by Jesuits who, after
his return to Sweden, abjured his Catholic faith and was employed by the
government. On account of secret connections with Poland, he was kept
imprisoned from 1616 until his death and while in prison wrote his great work,
which treats of Swedish history "from the Deluge" down to 1616, and which
is of especial value for the 16th century. — King Gustavus Adolphus II began
a work on his own reign but only completed the introduction, which contains
a sketch of the history under his predecessors of the Vasa dynasty.
In the succeeding period, archeological researches, closely connected with the
linguistic studies of that day, were carried on with zeal and success. Johannes
Schefferus (1621—79) published works on philology and literary and political
history, which give evidence of wide reading and critical acumen. Olof
Rudbeck (1630—1702) is a brilliant representative of the wide culture and versatile
spirit of the age. He was an anatomist, a botanist, a poet, an engraver; even
an archeologist and an historian. In "Atland" he attempted to prove Swedish
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