Pehr Evind Svinhufvud
Finnish politician (1861–1944)
Biography
Pehr Evind Svinhufvud af Qvalstad (Finland Swedish: [ˈpæːr ˈeːʋin(d) ˈsviːnhʉːʋʉd ɑːv kʋɑːlstɑːd], 15 December 1861 – 29 February 1944) served as the president of Finland from 1931 to 1937. Before 1917, as a lawyer, judge, and politician in the Grand Duchy of Finland (at that time an autonomous state within the Russian Empire), Svinhufvud played a major role in the movement for Finnish independence, and he presented the Declaration of Independence to the Parliament on 15 December [O.S. 2 December] 1917.
From December 1917 until May 1918, Svinhufvud operated as the first head of government of independent Finland as Chairman of the Senate. He led the White government during the Finnish Civil War of January to May 1918, while Mannerheim led the White Finnish armies. After the war, he served as Finland's first temporary head of state with the title of Regent (May to December 1918) during the project to establish a German-aligned monarchy in the country, prior to stepping down in favour of Mannerheim. He later served as Prime Minister from 1930 to 1931, before his election as national president in January 1931. During his presidency, Svinhufvud successfully called for an end to the Mäntsälä rebellion of 1932.
As a conservative and nationalist who strongly opposed communism and the Left in general, Svinhufvud did not become a President embraced by all the people, although as the amiable Ukko-Pekka ("Old Man Pekka"), he did enjoy wide popularity. Svinhufvud's sharp line as a defender of Finland's legal rights during the period under Russian rule was especially valued from the early years of independence until the end of World War II, unlike in later decades. After the collapse of the communist bloc and the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, appreciation of Svinhufvud increased.
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Career highlights
Career & roles
- member of the Parliament of Finland
- President of Finland
- Prime Minister of Finland
- Speaker of the Parliament of Finland
- Chancellor of Justice of Finland
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Ellen Svinhufvud
- Children
- Yngve SvinhufvudVeikko SvinhufvudEino Svinhufvud
- Parents
- Pehr Gustav Svinhufud, heir of Qvalstad & RapolaOlga von Becker
Awards & honours (18)
- Order of the White Eagle
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
- 1st Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Kingdom of Hungary
- Royal Order of the Seraphim
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Liberty
- Order of Muhammad Ali
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Three Stars
- Grand Cross with collar of the Order of Vytautas the Great
- Grand cross of the Order of the White Lion
- Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Collar of the Order of the White Lion
- Iron Cross of Merit of the Civil Guards
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle
- Iron Cross on white ribbon
- Order of the Red Eagle 1st Class
- Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint Olav
- Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle
Quick answers about Pehr Evind Svinhufvud
- How old was Pehr Evind Svinhufvud?
- Pehr Evind Svinhufvud died on February 29, 1944 at the age of 82.
- When is Pehr Evind Svinhufvud's birthday?
- Pehr Evind Svinhufvud was born on December 15, 1861.
- Where was Pehr Evind Svinhufvud born?
- Pehr Evind Svinhufvud was born in Sääksmäki.
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- Pehr Evind Svinhufvud's zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
- What is Pehr Evind Svinhufvud's nationality?
- Pehr Evind Svinhufvud is a citizen of Finland, Grand Duchy of Finland.
- What does Pehr Evind Svinhufvud do?
- Pehr Evind Svinhufvud is known as politician, judge, jurist, head of government.
- Who has Pehr Evind Svinhufvud been married to?
- According to Wikidata, Pehr Evind Svinhufvud's spouse is or was Ellen Svinhufvud.
- How many children did Pehr Evind Svinhufvud have?
- Wikidata lists 3 children of Pehr Evind Svinhufvud.
