Johan Widekindi
| Johan Widekindi | |
|---|---|
| Born |
c 1619 Västmanland, Sweden |
| Died |
24 December 1675 Sweden |
| Occupation |
Historian Academic |
| Parent(s) |
Widichinnus Laurentii Sara Olofsdotter |
| Relatives | Johan Stiernhöök (uncle) |
Johan Widekindi (c 1619— 24 December 1675) was a Swedish historian and academic.
Biography
Johan Widekindi was born between 1618 and 1620 to a priestly family. His father was Widich Larsson (Latin: Widichinnus Laurentii), a vicar in Bro, Västmanland. His mother was Sara Olofsdotter, a sister of Johan Stiernhöök. His brothers took the name Pontelius after their birthplace.
He was a student at Uppsala University in 1640 and also lectured there as a Latin orator. After a trip abroad, he was hired in 1655 as eloquentiæ lecturer at Stockholm High School, and almost at the same time he was given the task of organizing Axel Oxenstierna libraries and archives.
A wealth of documents from the 16th and 17th centuries attracted Widekindi to historical writings, and began a work to write a history of events between Poland and Sweden from the time of John III to his own time. This project was given approval by Charles X after he presented it in Copenhagen in 1659.