Jalmari Jaakkola

Kaarle Jalmari Jaakkola (1 January 1885 – 12 February 1964) was a Finnish historian and a professor of Finnish history at the University of Helsinki between 1932 and 1954. Jaakkola is known as a historian who primarily researched medieval history and sought to put forth that Finland existed as an entity already during that period. Some of Jaakkola's hypotheses are today considered to be overtly nationalist and outdated, but his influence during his lifetime remains undisputed.

His other research interests included the historical origins of the Birkarls and Kvens, and the historical background of the Kalevala, a compilation of epic poetry.

Early life and education Jaakkola was born in Eurajoki to a peasant family of Markus Jaakkola and Johanna Fredrika Nuorante. He completed student matriculation in 1905 and studied history and Finnish language at the University of Helsinki. He made studying journeys to Germany and Sweden, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1909, a licentiate in 1921, and a PhD in 1923. The subject of his doctoral thesis was the legend of Saint Erik and its authenticity.

He worked as a teacher and a headmaster until he was appointed a docent of Nordic history in 1923, and later a professor of Finnish history in 1932.

Between 1935 and 1959, Jaakkola published an extensive five-volume synthesis on Finnish history from the Viking Age to the sixteenth century. The most theoretically sustainable conclusions of Jaakkola include viewing the Swedish crusades to Finland as more of a peaceful transition to Swedish rule and Catholicism rather than as a period of conflict. Jaakkola wanted to continue his series to cover the twentieth century, and the work was carried on by his students who wrote two works on the period of the Swedish rule, but after Jaakkola died in 1964, the series was discontinued. Jaakkola's writing took on a nationalist and irredentist tone as he attempted to justify the Finnish expansion.

Despite the difficult style and academic nature of Jalmari Jaakkola's works, his influence on contemporary beliefs is considered to have been extensive. He chose the text, "The seer of early Finnish history", for his 75th anniversary memorial medal. Jaakkola was awarded an honorary degree from the faculty of theology at the University of Helsinki and the faculty of philosophy at the University of Turku.

Selected publications Pyhän Eerikin pyhimystraditsionin, kultin ja legendan synty (1921). Pirkkalaisliikkeen synty (1923). Suomen muinaiset valtarajat vuoteen 1323 (1926). Kuningas Maunu Eerikinpojan unionipolitiikasta (1928). Vanhimmat historialliset kopiokirjamme (1931). Suomen varhaishistoria: Heimokausi ja ”kalevala-kulttuuri”. (1935). Suomen varhaishistoria (1935). Suomen varhaiskeskiaika (1938). Suomen historian ääriviivat (1940). Suomen idänkysymys (1941). Die Ostfrage Finnlands (1941). Suomen sydänkeskiaika (1944). Suomen myöhäiskeskiaika I–II (1950, 1959.)