Erik Lönnroth

Erik Lönnroth (August 1, 1910 in Gothenburg – March 10, 2002) was one of the most notable Swedish historians of the 20th century. He was a member of the Swedish Academy between 1962-2002 and member of various faculties.

Lönnroth was born in Gothenburg 1910 and obtained a PhD in history at Gothenburg University College at 24 years of age, 1934. His thesis treated the important medieval Swedish bishop Tomas of Strängnäs. He was professor at Uppsala University between 1942-1953 and then at Gothenburg University between 1953-1977.

The subjects he did historical research includes the Kalmar Union, Lawrence of Arabia, King Gustav III of Sweden and the rebel leader Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson. Lönnroth took the history subject to a new level in Sweden. He developed and refined the critical theory of historiography that his mentor, Curt Weibull, had introduced. He also did pioneering work on the medieval economical history of Sweden and on psychohistory. Lönnroth was an influential author.