The father of
Finnish literature lived ca.
1510-
1557. Son of a farmer from
Pernaja started studying at
Wittenberg under
Martin Luther and
Phillip Melanchthon at
1536 with the purpose to translate the
Bible into Finnish.
He wrote the first
ABC book (ABC kiria) in Finnish at
1538 and the translation of the
New Testament (Se Wsi Testamenti) was completed at
1548. Agricola also managed to publish a translation of almost a quarter of the
Old Testament which appeared in three volumes between
1551 and
1552.
He was chosen as Bishop of Turku at 1554.
Date of his death, April 9th, is marked in Finland as national holiday - Michael Agricola Day or Finnish language Day.
Of the 8 500 Finnish words he used, 4 500 are still in use...