The first part of the illustrated atlas on Finno-Ugric antiquities was published in 1877. The following year, its editor, Johan Reinhold Aspelin, was named professor extraordinary of Nordic archaeology.

Aspelin, Finland’s first trained scholar of antiquity, become Finland’s first professor of archaeology. During his tenure, he often championed the idea of establishing a permanent chair, which only occurred in 1921, some years after his death.

Aspelin’s most significant publications during his tenure were the succeeding parts to the illustrated atlas Muinaisjäännöksiä Suomen suvun asumus-aloilta. Antiquités du nord finno-ougrien (‘Northern Finno-Ugric Antiquities’). The fifth and final part of the series was finished in 1884. However, Aspelin also published in daily newspapers, including a series of articles on pagan graveyards in the Häme and Satakunta regions for the newspaper Uusi Suometar. In 1879, Aspelin also published the first general work on prehistoric Finland.

Aspelin held his professorship until 1885. By that time he had created a foundation for archaeological university studies in Helsinki and had educated the future generation of archaeologists. Aspelin taught several students who would later enjoy considerable renown, such as Axel Olai Heikel, the founder of the Seurasaari open-air museum. In 1885, Aspelin was named State Archaeologist, after which his administrative duties were so burdensome that his academic endeavours were placed on hold.

Later on Aspelin found time to dedicate himself to his hobbies concerning family and cultural history. He wrote several articles for the likes of Biografinen nimikirja (‘The biographical name register’), and based on his collections the Genealogical Society of Finland began to compile Uusi Sukukirja (‘The new book of families’).

Aspelin was a national romantic who joined the Young Finnish Party after the February Manifesto of 1899. However, he was not politically active, unlike his brother Eliel Aspelin-Haapkylä, who along with other Old Finns supported the appeasement of Russia.

Sources:

• Timo Salminen, Aspelin, Johan Reinhold, the National Biography of Finland, Online Publication. Available for free on the Nelli Portal. Accessed November 23, 2015.
• J. R. Aspelin, Finnish Wikipedia article. Accessed November 23, 2015.
• Johan Reinhold Aspelin, Swedish Wikipedia article. Accessed November 23, 2015.