Leo Mechelin

Who was Leo Mechelin?

Leopold Henrik Stanislaus Mechelin was a Finnish professor, statesman, senator and liberal reformer. A leading defender of the autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland, and of the rights of women and minorities, Mechelin's 1905–1908 government made Finland the first nation in the world with the universal right to vote and to be elected. His period in office also saw the introduction of the freedom of expression, the press, and of assembly.

He also founded the Liberal Party of Finland, wrote its program, was one of the founders of the Union Bank of Finland 1862 and founded the Nokia Company with Fredrik Idestam, was the first chairman of the town council of Helsinki and an internationally respected expert on politology and member of peace movement. Emperor Alexander II nobled Mechelin 1876.

Mechelin led the passive resistance in Finland during the first period of oppression until and even after his banishment, from which officials had to let him return as a member of parliament 1904, welcomed by a celebrating crowd of ten thousand people.