2014 Finlandia prize for nonfiction

Docent Mirkka Lappalainen, who focuses on the history of Sweden and Finland in the 17th century, won the Tieto-Finlandia award for her book Pohjolan Leijona – Kustaa II Aadolf ja Suomi 1611-1632 ( ‘The Lion of the North – Gustav II Adolf and Finland 1611-1632’ (Siltala)) in 2014. The book tells the story of the birth of Scandinavian society –everyday life and livelihoods in addition to war.

News story about Mirkka Lappalainen’s Finlandia prize for nonfiction, University of Helsinki November 11, 2014 (in Finnish).

By Written by Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta. Translated by Johanna Spoof, revised by Matthew Billington.

Mirkka Lappalainen

Mirkka Marjaana Lappalainen
26.11.1975, Helsinki

MA 1998, MLic. 2001 and PhD 2005 (Finnish and Nordic History), University of Helsinki

University Lecturer in Finnish and Nordic History 2014-, researcher 2009–2014 and assistant 2001–2009, University of Helsinki

Publications, research projects and other academic activities

Research areas: history of the Swedish empire, history of the nobility and noble families, history of state formation, personal, legal and criminal history; the Little Ice Age and famines.

Photo: Laura Malmivaara (Kustannusosakeyhtiö Siltala)
Author: Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta
Translated by John Calton