Minna Craucher

Minna Craucher (23 August 1891 – 8 March 1932) was the pseudonym of Maria Vilhelmiina Lindell, a Finnish socialite and spy. Her home was a noted salon for various writers and artists. She also did espionage, originally for the Cheka, the Soviet secret police, and was arrested three times for fraud. She also had connections to the right-wing Lapua Movement. She became the subject of several books and stories. In 1932 she was murdered by Olavi Runolinna.

Biography Early years Maria Vilhelmiina Lindell, originally from Aalto, was born in poor conditions in Pirkkala as the illegitimate child of a 16-year-old Nokia-born maid, Olga Aalto. Together with journalist Ensio Svanberg, Craucher co-founded the "Entertainment and Travel Directory", a magazine that later became known as Seura (meaning "The Society") which was published in 1926–1929. The authors of the magazine included Kersti Bergroth, Pentti Haanpää, Martti Merenmaa, Elina Vaara, Väinö Nuorteva, and Mika Waltari, among others. The editors-in-chief were Yrjö Rauanheimo, Lauri Viljanen and Waltari. Craucher was the acquirer and marketer of the magazine's advertising space.

Craucher's salon was a popular gathering place for Tulenkantajat ("The Flame Bearers") From Freesenkatu, Craucher later moved to Mechelininkatu 23 A 20.

In the Lapua Movement When the Seura magazine ceased to be published in 1929, the focus of Craucher's activities shifted to officers and far right-wing politicians.

Among other things, Craucher arranged and partially donated armbands for the participants of the Peasant March.

Death

Craucher became unpopular with the Lapua Movement and began to be suspected of being a communist agent. This was influenced by her covert background, which was revealed by the Finnish Security Police to the leadership of the Lapua Movement. initially, in a murder investigation conducted by the police, Martti Wallenius was considered the main suspect. Craucher's murder has been interpreted as part of the follow-up to the Mäntsälä rebellion. After her death, Esko Riekki wrote:quote|“She was just a ruthless blufferska and bonfångerska [bluffing woman and cheater] who enjoyed fiercely gaining fame: if the soul is immortal, C. now enjoys heavenly joy from this advertisement.” Martti Merenmaa: Nousuvesi (1926); a character named Mrs. Pomaré is based on Craucher. Kjell Westö: Hägring 38 (2013)