Axel Oxenstierna and Books

This article examines Swedish chancellor Axel Oxenstierna as an owner and reader of books. The possession of a library, though it was unremarkable when compared to other contemporary European ministerial libraries, was a political asset in Sweden. His library reflected his emulation of continental e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Thomson, Erik (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sixteenth Century Journal Publishers, Inc. 2007
In: The sixteenth century journal
Year: 2007, Volume: 38, Issue: 3, Pages: 705-729
Online Access: Volltext (JSTOR)
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:This article examines Swedish chancellor Axel Oxenstierna as an owner and reader of books. The possession of a library, though it was unremarkable when compared to other contemporary European ministerial libraries, was a political asset in Sweden. His library reflected his emulation of continental examples as well as his interests and status as one of the premier Protestant statesmen of the seventeenth century. His library allowed the chancellor to act as a patron to scholars and others who needed access to books, and thus served a public function. Yet possession of books also allowed him to master the historical, juridical, and political background of politics, and to embody his ideal of the learned counselor. More importantly, books allowed him to overcome a moment of despondency and face his final political battles and his death, knowing his vocation had been godly.
ISSN:2326-0726
Contains:Enthalten in: The sixteenth century journal
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2307/20478484