The father of Finnish literature lived ca. 1510-1557. Son of a farmer from Pernaja started studying at Wittenberg under Martin Luther and Phillip Melanchthon at 1536 with the purpose to translate the Bible into Finnish.
He wrote the first ABC book (ABC kiria) in Finnish at 1538 and the translation of the New Testament (Se Wsi Testamenti) was completed at 1548. Agricola also managed to publish a translation of almost a quarter of the Old Testament which appeared in three volumes between 1551 and 1552.
He was chosen as Bishop of Turku at 1554.
Date of his death, April 9th, is marked in Finland as national holiday - Michael Agricola Day or Finnish language Day.
Of the 8 500 Finnish words he used, 4 500 are still in use...
| 
