G. V. Forsten

Georgīĭ Vasilevich Forsten was a Russo-Finnish historian and professor at Saint Petersburg University in Russia. He was a specialist in the history of Scandinavia and the Baltic region and one of the founders of research into Scandinavian history in Russia. Later he turned to the Reformation and the history of humanism in Germany.

Early life and education

Georgīĭ Forsten was born in Fredrikshamn, Finland, on 30 May 1857 to a family of Swedish origin. He was a graduate of Saint Petersburg University.

Career

Forsten was a professor of Saint Petersburg University where he specialised in the history of Scandinavia and the Baltic region and was one of the founders of research into Scandinavian history in Russia. In later life his interests were in the Reformation and the history of humanism in Germany.

Death and legacy

Forsten died in Jorois, Finland, on 21 July 1910. His work was discussed by V. V. Pokhlebkinin in his article "G. V. Forsten—odin iz osnovopolozhnikov izucheniia istorii Skandinavii v Rossii" in Skandinavskii sbornik and in 1979 he was the subject of a biography by Aleksandr Sergeevič Kan titled Историк Г. В. Форстен и наука его времени that was published in Moscow.

Selected publications

Bor’ba iz-za gospodstva na Baltiiskom more v XV i XVI stoletiiakh. Saint Petersburg, 1884.Baltiiskii vopros v XVI i XVII stoletiiakh , Vols. 1–2. Saint Petersburg, 1893–94.