Akseli Hirn

Karl David Axel (Akseli) Hirn (October 18, 1845 – May 21, 1906) was a Finnish minister, and after C. G. Tötterman, the third mission director of the Finnish Missionary Society.

Background Hirn was born in Hauho, Finland, and came from a came from a family of clerics. His father was Daniel Kristian Hirn (1807–1884), assistant pastor of Hauho. His mother was Gustava Sofia Ulrika Alopaeus (died 1869).

Hirn went to school in the Porvoo Gymnasium. He graduated from the university with a degree in theology in 1870, and he was ordained a minister in 1871. He worked as a prison chaplain in Helsinki from 1884 on.

During Hirn's tenure the mission society was given bad press, and also the relations to the Evangelical movement began to deteriorate. Members of this movement had earlier been among the most eager to support mission work, and the mission society and the Evangelical movement had held joint Mission and Gospel Feasts.

Work after the mission society After his tenure in the mission society, Hirn worked from 1900 on as the vicar of Saarijärvi. He died while in this position in 1906.

Private life Hirn was married to Selma Erika Sofia Sylvin, who was originally from Sweden. It appears to be the case that they did not have children.