author
Artturi H. (Artturi Heikki) Virkkunen
1864–1924
A Finnish historian, journalist, and politician, he helped shape public life in the years around Finland’s independence and became the first rector of the University of Turku. His career moved between scholarship, newspapers, parliament, and university leadership.
1 Audiobook
Matti Pohto: Vanhojen suomalaisten kirjain pelastaja
by Artturi H. (Artturi Heikki) Virkkunen
About the author
Born in Karunki in 1864, Artturi Heikki Virkkunen was known for much of his life as Artturi H. Virkkunen, and before 1906 he used the surname Snellman. He built a remarkably varied career as a historian, teacher, editor, and public figure, becoming known especially for his work in Finnish history and civic life.
Virkkunen worked as a journalist and served as editor-in-chief of the newspaper Uusi Suomi. He was also active in politics as a member of parliament. Alongside that public role, he continued his scholarly work and published historical studies, earning a reputation as a serious historian.
In the last years of his life, he was appointed professor of history at the University of Turku and then became the university’s first rector, serving from 1922 until his death in 1924. That combination of scholarship, public debate, and institution-building makes him an especially interesting figure in Finnish cultural and academic history.