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Matti Klinge

Born August 31, 1936, Helsinki.

Master of Arts (ultimus), 1959, Licentiate of Philosophy, 1966 and Doctor of Philosophy, 1967 (history), University of Helsinki;

Awarded “best Master of Arts” degree, 1960, riemumaisteri (An honorary master's title awarded to an individual 50 years after the original degree), 2010

Professor Emeritus of History, University of Helsinki, 2002-
Professor of History, University of Helsinki, 1975–2001
Visiting Professor (Finnish Literature and Culture, Sorbonne, Paris), 1970–72
Research fellow, valtion humanistinen toimikunta (present-day Academy of Finland), 1968–75
Docent, Intellectual History and History of Science, 1968-, University of Helsinki
Researcher, the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, 1960–68

Elector for the Helsinki constituency in the Presidential election, 1982 and 1988
Curator, Mannerheim museum, 1966–69
Kuraattori, the student 'nation’ of Southern Finland,  1963–66, Inspehtori, 1976–86, Honorary Member
Member and President of numerous learned foundations and societies as well as Swedish Academies

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Honours
Honorary Doctor, University of Uppsala, 1989
Honorary Doctor, University of Greifswald, 2006
Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland, 1980
Commander of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, first class, 2007
Badge of the Presiding Officers (purple ribbon), Student Union of the University of Helsinki, 2001
Commander, Order of the Polar Star of Sweden
L'ordre national de la Légion d'honneur (Chevalier, 1996; Officier, 2015)

Recipient of Dutch, Polish and Russian decorations

Honorary Member, Finnish Historical Society, Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, Swedish Literature Society in Finland and Uppsala division of the Stockholm ‘Nation’

Photo: Laura Malmivaara/Kustannusosakeyhtiö Siltala
Written by Matti Klinge, Kaija Hartikainen (ed.)
Translated by John Calton

Klinge the Painter

In 1968, when I was working part-time as curator of the Mannerheim museum, like many of my younger students nowadays, I published an illustrated life of Mannerheim. Then illustrating other works of history and particularly my own books became an important factor in bringing history to life, and particularly in the 1980s it became a trademark. This relates to my visual habitus.

It manifests itself in my hobby – painting, which from my youth has, on occasion, been very intensive. Since 2004, I have staged several art exhibitions, in Helsinki and elsewhere in Finland. I have done some painting in France and Italy.

An especially fine portrait of me was painted by the department of history’s artist Marjukka Paunila. It was commissioned by my students and friends. Another fine portrait, painted by Aarre Heinonen, hangs in the Eteläsuomalainen nation’s premises.

By

Matti Klinge

Born August 31, 1936, Helsinki.

Master of Arts (ultimus), 1959, Licentiate of Philosophy, 1966 and Doctor of Philosophy, 1967 (history), University of Helsinki;

Awarded “best Master of Arts” degree, 1960, riemumaisteri (An honorary master's title awarded to an individual 50 years after the original degree), 2010

Professor Emeritus of History, University of Helsinki, 2002-
Professor of History, University of Helsinki, 1975–2001
Visiting Professor (Finnish Literature and Culture, Sorbonne, Paris), 1970–72
Research fellow, valtion humanistinen toimikunta (present-day Academy of Finland), 1968–75
Docent, Intellectual History and History of Science, 1968-, University of Helsinki
Researcher, the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, 1960–68

Elector for the Helsinki constituency in the Presidential election, 1982 and 1988
Curator, Mannerheim museum, 1966–69
Kuraattori, the student 'nation’ of Southern Finland,  1963–66, Inspehtori, 1976–86, Honorary Member
Member and President of numerous learned foundations and societies as well as Swedish Academies

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Honours
Honorary Doctor, University of Uppsala, 1989
Honorary Doctor, University of Greifswald, 2006
Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland, 1980
Commander of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, first class, 2007
Badge of the Presiding Officers (purple ribbon), Student Union of the University of Helsinki, 2001
Commander, Order of the Polar Star of Sweden
L'ordre national de la Légion d'honneur (Chevalier, 1996; Officier, 2015)

Recipient of Dutch, Polish and Russian decorations

Honorary Member, Finnish Historical Society, Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, Swedish Literature Society in Finland and Uppsala division of the Stockholm ‘Nation’

Photo: Laura Malmivaara/Kustannusosakeyhtiö Siltala
Written by Matti Klinge, Kaija Hartikainen (ed.)
Translated by John Calton

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