25 Facts About Birger Nerman

Birger Nerman was a Swedish archaeologist, historian and philologist who specialized in the history and culture of Iron Age Sweden.

Birger Nerman participated in archaeological excavations on Stone Age and Iron Age Sweden, and became noted for his efforts to combine archaeological and philological evidence.

From 1923 to 1925, Birger Nerman was professor of archaeology at the University of Dorpat, during which he made contributions to the development of archaeology in Estonia.

Birger Nerman was director of the Swedish History Museum from 1938 to 1954, during which he organized several exhibitions on Swedish history.

Birger Nerman was a Swedish nationalist who opposed both Nazism and Communism, and a noted advocate for the independence of the Baltic states.

Birger Nerman was the author of several scholarly works on Iron Age archaeology, and popular works on the culture and history of early Sweden.

Birger Nerman was born in Norrkoping, Sweden, on 6 October 1888.

Birger Nerman was the son of Janne Nerman, a bookseller, and Ida Nordberg.

Birger Nerman became a student in philology at Uppsala University in 1907, where he gained his doctorate in 1913 with a dissertation entitled Svarges hedna litteratur, which was concerned with the Ynglingatal.

In studying Old English and Old Norse literature, Birger Nerman argued that works such as Beowulf contained traces from Swedish oral literature of the Migration Period.

Birger Nerman's dissertation was criticized by several philologists for its use of archaeological evidence.

Together with Stjerna and later Oscar Almgren, Birger Nerman became increasingly involved in archaeological research on the Swedish Stone Age and Iron Age.

Birger Nerman participated in excavations at Gamla Uppsala, Vendel and Adelso.

From 1914, Birger Nerman became increasingly involved with archaeological excavations in Gotland and the Baltic states.

At Uppsala University, Birger Nerman was appointed an assistant professor in 1917, and a docent in 1919.

Birger Nerman gained a filosofie licentiat in prehistory in 1918.

From 1923 to 1925, Birger Nerman was Professor of Archaeology at the University of Dorpat, during which he laid the foundations for modern archaeology in Estonia.

Birger Nerman conducted archaeological research at Izborsk, Estonia, in 1924.

Birger Nerman was a Swedish nationalist, and several of his works should be understood not only as scholarly contributions, but as manifestations of Birger Nerman's patriotism.

Birger Nerman supervised the renovation of the museum building, and organized a number of successful exhibitions.

Birger Nerman spent much efforts at making the collections at the museum as accessible to the public as possible.

Birger Nerman combined his duties at the museum with engagements as an author and public speaker.

Birger Nerman was active in organizations working towards the preservation of Sweden's national heritage, serving as the secretary and chairman of the Swedish Antiquarian Society.

Birger Nerman played a leading role in establishing the Baltic Institute, and was the founding Chairman of the Baltic Committee.

Birger Nerman was an advocate for the independence of the Baltic states and rights of Balts and Estonians.