author
Artturi H. (Artturi Heikki) Virkkunen
1864–1924
A Finnish historian, journalist, and public figure, he wrote with a strong sense of national culture and history. His work moves between scholarship and storytelling, making the past feel vivid and close at hand.
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 a Finnish historian, journalist, and politician. He was originally surnamed Snellman, changed it to Virkkunen in 1906, and built a career that connected research, public debate, and national life.
Virkkunen studied history and became known as a scholar as well as a newspaper editor. He served as editor-in-chief of Uusi Suomi, sat in the Parliament of Finland across several terms in the early 20th century, and later became professor of history at the University of Turku. From 1922 until his death in 1924, he also served as the university’s first rector.
As an author, he is remembered for historical writing and biographies that helped bring Finnish history to a wider readership. His books reflect both careful research and a clear wish to make the nation’s past meaningful to ordinary readers.