Haquin Spegel

Haquin Spegel was a Swedish religious author and hymn writer who held several bishop's seats.

Biography

Spegel was born on 14 June 1645, in Ronneby. In 1675, the King Charles XI of Sweden appointed him as court chaplain. During the wars in the following years, he followed the King, and became a close confidant of his. He kept a diary during the whole time, which has proven to be valuable as research material.
In 1680, he wed Queen Ulrika Eleonora and the King. He spent the following five years mainly on the island of Gotland as a superintendent over the Diocese of Visby. He managed to write the Rudera Gothlandica during this time.
In 1685, he was appointed Bishop of Linköping in eastern Sweden. In 1693, he was transferred to the seat in Diocese of Skara, central Sweden, where he remained until 1711. On the death of the Archbishop of Uppsala, Spegel was elected his successor, although he only held this position for three years.
During that time, he wrote an influential epos called God's work and rest about God's creation as written about in the Bible.

Other notability

It is said that he worked for education of the people, and wanted every peasant in Sweden to be able to read.
He was also known as a hymnist and poet.