About Johan Cajan
Lived 1815 – 1887 (aged 71–72). Johan Cajan was a Finnish historian, writer and lutheran pastor.
Juhana "Johan" Fredrik Cajan (13 September 1815 – 28 February 1887) was a Finnish clergyman and historian, the author of the first history of Finland written in Finnish.
Cajan was born in Sotkamo, Finland and died in Piippola, Finland.
Cajan's parents were Johann Cajan and Eva Elfving. After his exam he traveled to Lapland. During his studies, he got to know Elias Lönnrot, and he collected folklore with him. Cajan wrote about Finland's history (in the Finnish language) in the publication Mehiläinen 1839-40. He used writing names as J. F. Kainonen and J. F. Kajaani. His magnum opus is Suomen Historia, koetteeksi kerrottu lyhykäiset järjestyksessä. Cajan wrote the first non-fiction literature in Finnish.
In 1842 Cajan married Adolfina Augusta Tauler (died 1858).
Cajan eventually suffered from mental illness.
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Important facts
People in Johan Cajan's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Johan Cajan's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Johan Cajan?
Finnish historian (1815–1887)
When was Johan Cajan born?
Johan Cajan was born in 1815 in Sotkamo.
When did Johan Cajan die?
Johan Cajan died in 1887.
What was Johan Cajan's occupation?
Johan Cajan was a historian, writer and lutheran pastor.
What nationality was Johan Cajan?
Johan Cajan was Finnish.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Johan Cajan. https://biography.guide/johan-cajan/
MLA: "Johan Cajan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/johan-cajan/.
Chicago: "Johan Cajan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/johan-cajan/.
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