Lars Johan Hierta facts for kids
Lars Johan Hierta (born January 22, 1801 – died November 20, 1872) was an important person in Sweden. He was a newspaper publisher, someone who pointed out problems in society (a social critic), a businessman, and a politician. He is most famous for starting the newspaper Aftonbladet in 1830. Hierta was a strong supporter of political and social changes in Sweden during the 1800s. People sometimes call him the "father of the free press" in Sweden. This means he helped make sure newspapers could print what they wanted without the government stopping them.
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Lars Hierta's Early Life and Education
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Lars Hierta was born into a noble family in Uppsala, Sweden. His parents were Carl Didrik Hierta and Hedvig Johanna Schméer. He went to a private school for his first lessons.
In 1814, he started studying at Uppsala University. He worked hard and earned two important degrees. In 1821, he became a Doctor of Philosophy and also a Candidate of Law. These degrees showed he was very smart and well-educated.
After university, in 1821, he started working at a government office called Bergskollegium. He began as an unpaid trainee, which means he worked to gain experience without getting paid. By 1825, he was promoted to a law clerk. This was a job where he helped with legal tasks.
Family Life and Political Beginnings
In the mid-1820s, Lars Hierta met Wilhelmina Fröding. She would later become his wife. At first, her family did not agree to their marriage. However, they eventually married in 1833. Lars and Wilhelmina had five daughters together.
Lars Hierta also became involved in politics. In 1823, he worked as a secretary at the Swedish House of Lords. This was part of the old Swedish parliament, called the Riksdag of the Estates. From 1828 to 1830, he was a representative for the noble families in the Riksdag. He also continued his work as a law clerk during this time.
In the Riksdag, Hierta joined a group called the liberal opposition. This group disagreed with the conservative way King Charles XIV John was ruling the country. They wanted more freedom and changes.
Starting a Career in Journalism
Lars Hierta began his writing career in 1823. He wrote for a newspaper called Conservationsbladet. He also wrote for Argus from 1824 to 1826. Sometimes, he wrote for Stockholmsposten between 1826 and 1828.
He started by writing funny stories. Later, he became a news writer. He also wrote strong opinions about politics, which are called editorials.
In 1829, Hierta started his own company. It was a book publishing house called Hiertas bokförlag. This company printed and sold books.
Founding Aftonbladet and Advocating for Change
In 1830, Lars Hierta created his most famous project: the Aftonbladet newspaper. In this newspaper, he wrote about wanting a republic. A republic is a country where the people choose their leaders, instead of having a king or queen. Even though he didn't use the exact word "republic," his ideas are sometimes seen as the start of the Swedish republican movement.
Hierta used Aftonbladet to push for many important changes in Sweden. He believed in freedom of speech and a more open society.
Business Ventures and Social Progress
Lars Johan Hierta was not just a publisher and politician. In 1839, he started a candle factory. This factory is still in business today and is called Liljeholmens Stearinfabriks AB.
After 1840, Aftonbladet hired a Swedish writer named Wendela Hebbe (1808–1899). She became the first woman journalist to be hired full-time at a Swedish newspaper. This was a big step for women in journalism. Both Hierta and Hebbe worked hard for liberal causes. They wanted society to be more fair and equal for everyone.
Lars Hierta's Legacy
When Lars Hierta passed away, he was one of the richest people in Sweden. His wife, Wilhelmina Fröding Hierta, used some of his money to help others. She gave 100,000 SEK to Stockholm University. This money was used to create a special teaching position (a professorship) in economics.
Later, she gave another 400,000 SEK to a foundation called Lars Hiertas minne. This means "Lars Hierta's Memory." The foundation's goal was to "work freely and independently for human progress." This shows that Lars Hierta's ideas about making society better continued even after his death. His work helped shape modern Sweden and its free press.
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