Aksel Mikkelsen

Aksel Mikkelsen (14 August 1849 – 19 October 1929 in Korsør) was a Danish educator who introduced the Swedish system of sloyd schools into Denmark. He organised schools and seminaries on the system, which teaches manual training as an aid in developing the pupils' physically and mentally as well as affording the basis of technical training. Beginning in 1907, he was inspector of the sloyd system in Denmark. He also wrote books.

Early life and education Aksel Mikkelsen was born on 14 August 1849 in Hjørring, the son of Ane Margr. Pedersdatter and Jørgen Mikkelsen, an iron foundry foreman. As a young man, he lived in Vester Brønderslev where he owned a foundry and a machine workshop. He added an apprentice school to the business, initially to train his own staff, but later expanded it to external pupils. He developed a number of courses as introductions in blacksmithing and carpentry. He then reduced this to woodwork only. Aksel Mikkelsen started to use the term ‘carpentry’ which he picked up in Sweden, where he spent some time at Nääs carpentry school near Gothenburg on a study trip in 1882.

Publications Hvad er Slojd (1886)

Hvordan arbejder Slojdskolen (1886)

Opdrageren (1891-92)

Slojlære (1894)

Arbejdsstilinger (1896)