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

Educator of Academic Youth

A great deal of my publishing activity is of course closely related to my teaching. Since 1975, with only brief leaves of absence, I held the (Swedish-speaking) chair in history at the University of Helsinki, until 2001, when the University statutes in force at the time determined that I should resign my position.

Both interest in and the outcome for undergraduates and a great number of graduates and doctors have formed a central aspect of my life, both in terms of normal everyday varsity life and accomplishments celebrated at the promootiot, or degree conferment ceremonies. I have considered the upkeep and development of the University’s traditions and prestige a matter of great importance.

An old teacher, who still delivers lectures for two months each year, remembers with gratitude the devotion of young people. In my day I was Kuraattori (general manager) and inspehtori of the student ‘nation’, then honorary member, as well as an honorary member of both the subject association Historicus rf. and the Student Union. This bond of continuity to academic youth as an expression of civic education is important for me.