Elsa Eschelsson
1861-1911.
Lawyer, Sweden's first female doctor of law.
Elsa Eschelsson was born in a wealthy home in Norrköping in 1861. After the death of her mother, five-year-old Elsa moved with her father to Stockholm.
Eschelsson was taught at home and learned Latin, among other things, entirely on her own. In 1882 she took her matriculation exam with high marks.
She continued her studies in Uppsala and later became the first female doctor and associate professor of law. However, she had to fight hard to obtain positions, not least as acting professor, as that position could not yet be granted to a woman.
She was involved in the establishment of the Association of Educated Women (1904), which campaigned for women's right to hold senior government posts.
The academic struggles took a toll on her strength and after a supposed overdose of sleeping pills, Elsa Eschelsson died on March 10, 1911.
The funeral in Uppsala Cathedral was officiated by Professor Einar Billing who spoke about "the injustice of this world".
Burial site: 0137-1550
Image description: Elsa Eschelsson, 1883. Photo: Heinrich Osti / UUBThe image is cropped]
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