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#emdiplomat of day: Esaias Pufendorf (1628-1689)
You may know the famous #philosopher Samuel #Pufendorf, but have you ever heard of his older brother?
The German born Esaias Pufendorf served the rivalling kings of #Denmark and #Sweden as a #diplomat. His case illustrates that a post as #emdiplomat did not depend on nationality but loyalty. (1/5)
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After graduating from Saint Augustinus school in #Grimma, a school founded by prince elector Maurice of #Saxony for the education of future state servants, Esaias #Pufendorf continued his training at the university of #Leipzig where he studied #philosophy and #classical studies. In 1650 he received a doctoral degree for his dissertation on druids. Pufendorf started his career as educator of the son of Swedish field marshal Christopher of #Königsmarck through whom he came into contact with influential circles in #Sweden. In 1659 he entered into Swedish service as registrar in the royal chancery. (2/5)
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Shortly thereafter Pufendorf’s diplomatic career took off. In 1661 he accompanied the Swedish #ambassador to #England as a secretary. The following year #Pufendorf was sent to East #Prussia for negotiations with the coastal cities. In 1664 he joined the Swedish #embassy in #Paris where he stayed until 1670. That year Pufendorf was transferred to the Swedish duchies of #Bremen and #Verden and appointed councillor. In this capacity he continued his diplomatic activities in Northern Germany. In 1671 he became Swedish ambassador at the Imperial #court in #Vienna. (3/5)
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His career as a Swedish #diplomat came to an end in the 1680s due to a conflict with members of the Swedish government on the state’s foreign policy. In 1687 #Pufendorf finally requested his resignation.
Already the following year he entered into Danish service and was dispatched to the #PerpetualDiet in #Regensburg as representative of the Danish king.
However, although it was not unusual for #earlymodern state servants and #emdiplomats to change employer, the Swedish government resented Pufendorf’s decision, probably because he chose Sweden’s fiercest rival. As a consequence, the Swedish Supreme court issued a verdict the year after Pufendorf’s death in which he was declared deprived of his land, property and life. (4/5)
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If you want to learn more about Esaias #Pufendorf, we recommend the article by Beate-Christine Fielder (in German):
Beate-Christine Fiedler: Esaias v. Pufendorf (1628–1689). Diplomat in Europa und Kanzler in den schwedischen Herzogtümern Bremen und Verden – Eine biographische Skizze. In: Gemeinsame Bekannte. Schweden und Deutschland in der Frühen Neuzeit, ed. by Ivo Asmus, Münster 2003, 171-193.
(5/5)
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@emdiplomacy@hcommons.social @histodons@a.gup.pe @earlymodern@a.gup.pe @historikerinnen@a.gup.pe Excellent! It is a shame that Pufendorg is not taught in schools! But we'll get there, eventually!