Natanael Beskow
Encyclopedia
Fredrik Natanael Beskow was a Swedish
theologian and school headmaster. He was also active as a preacher, writer, artist, pacifist
and social activist. Beskow published a number of collections of sermons. He also made substantial contributions as a hymn writer.
Beskow was born in Hallingeberg (now Västervik Municipality
), Småland
. The son of a priest, Beskow graduated from secondary school in 1883 and got a degree in theological philosophy at Uppsala University
in 1884. From 1888 to 1892, he studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts
in Stockholm
. He married the children's book author Elsa Beskow
in 1893 (1897?) while she was teaching at Djursholms samskola
where he served as head master. Beskow was the headmaster of the newly-established co-educational school in Djursholm
from 1897 to 1909. They had six sons together.
During this time he also worked as an artist, and earned a degree in practical theology in 1895. In 1896 he accepted an invitation from the previous year to become a preacher in Djursholm
, which was being built at the time. Beskow never wholeheartedly agreed with the Swedish church's profession of faith, and was never ordained as a minister.
In 1912 he founded Birkagården together with Ebba Pauli. Birkagården was the first of Sweden's so-called "settlements" (hemgård); Beskow was director of Birkagården from 1912 until 1946. He was also headmaster of the boarding school (folkhögskola) at Birkagården from 1916 to 1930, as well as honorary doctorate of theology at Lund University
in 1918, and president of the Swedish Association for Christian Social Life (Förbundet för kristet samhällsliv), which he established, from 1918 to 1943.
Beskow was a radical pacifist. He was also involved with the campaign for women's suffrage
in Sweden (which was granted in 1919), and with the labor unions. Beskow was often engaged in leading negotiations, and became a prominent negotiator.
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....
theologian and school headmaster. He was also active as a preacher, writer, artist, pacifist
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
and social activist. Beskow published a number of collections of sermons. He also made substantial contributions as a hymn writer.
Beskow was born in Hallingeberg (now Västervik Municipality
Västervik Municipality
Västervik Municipality is a municipality in Kalmar County, south-eastern Sweden, with its seat in the city of Västervik....
), Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
. The son of a priest, Beskow graduated from secondary school in 1883 and got a degree in theological philosophy 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 1884. From 1888 to 1892, he studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts
Royal Swedish Academy of Arts
The Royal Swedish Academy of Arts or Kungl. Akademien för de fria konsterna, founded in 1773 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies in Sweden...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. He married the children's book author Elsa Beskow
Elsa Beskow
Elsa Beskow was a Swedish author and illustrator of children's books...
in 1893 (1897?) while she was teaching at Djursholms samskola
Djursholms samskola
Djursholms Samskola is the traditional name of a middle school in Djursholm, Sweden. The official name of the school is Viktor Rydbergs Samskola.-History:...
where he served as head master. Beskow was the headmaster of the newly-established co-educational school in Djursholm
Djursholm
Djursholm is one of four suburban districts in, and the seat of Danderyd Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden. Djursholm is included in the multi-municipal Stockholm urban area.-History:...
from 1897 to 1909. They had six sons together.
During this time he also worked as an artist, and earned a degree in practical theology in 1895. In 1896 he accepted an invitation from the previous year to become a preacher in Djursholm
Djursholm
Djursholm is one of four suburban districts in, and the seat of Danderyd Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden. Djursholm is included in the multi-municipal Stockholm urban area.-History:...
, which was being built at the time. Beskow never wholeheartedly agreed with the Swedish church's profession of faith, and was never ordained as a minister.
In 1912 he founded Birkagården together with Ebba Pauli. Birkagården was the first of Sweden's so-called "settlements" (hemgård); Beskow was director of Birkagården from 1912 until 1946. He was also headmaster of the boarding school (folkhögskola) at Birkagården from 1916 to 1930, as well as honorary doctorate of theology at Lund University
Lund University
Lund University , located in the city of Lund in the province of Scania, Sweden, is one of northern Europe's most prestigious universities and one of Scandinavia's largest institutions for education and research, frequently ranked among the world's top 100 universities...
in 1918, and president of the Swedish Association for Christian Social Life (Förbundet för kristet samhällsliv), which he established, from 1918 to 1943.
Beskow was a radical pacifist. He was also involved with the campaign for women's suffrage
Women's suffrage
Women's suffrage or woman suffrage is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending these rights to women and without any restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or...
in Sweden (which was granted in 1919), and with the labor unions. Beskow was often engaged in leading negotiations, and became a prominent negotiator.