# Dag Hammarskjöld

> Swedish diplomat, economist, and author (1905-1961)

**Wikidata**: [Q1267](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1267)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dag_Hammarskjöld)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dag-hammarskjold

## Summary

Dag Hammarskjöld was born July 29, 1905, in Jönköping.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] He worked as a politician, diplomat, economist, poet, writer, and philosopher. He was Lutheran. He was educated at Uppsala University and Stockholm University.His father was Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, and his mother was Agnes Maria Carolina Almquist.[12][5][12][5] His siblings were Åke Hammarskjöld, Bo Hammarskjöld, and Sten Hammarskjöld.[5] He was employed by the United Nations and the Ministry of Finance of Sweden. His field was politics, diplomacy, and peace movement.[13]He held the positions of United Nations Secretary-General (1953–1961), secretary of state (1936–1945), Minister of Foreign Trade (1951–1953), and seat 17 of the Swedish Academy (1954–1961). He was a member of the Swedish Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His awards included the Nobel Peace Prize, Commanders Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star, Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog, Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau, and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav‎.[14][15] He died September 18, 1961, in Ndola, and was buried at Uppsala Old Cemetery.[2][3][16][7][8][9][11][17][18].

## Summary
Dag Hammarskjöld was a Swedish diplomat, economist, and author (1905–1961) who served as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 until his death in 1961. He is best known for his leadership during the Congo Crisis and his tragic death in a plane crash, which remains one of the most infamous diplomatic failures in history.

## Biography
- Born: July 29, 1905, in Jönköping, Sweden
- Nationality: Swedish
- Education:
  - Uppsala University (1924–1929)
  - Stockholm School of Economics (1929–1931)
- Known for: Leading the United Nations during the Congo Crisis and his untimely death in a plane crash
- Employer(s):
  - United Nations (Secretary-General, 1953–1961)
  - Ministry of Finance of Sweden (1931–1946)
- Field(s): Diplomacy, economics, international relations

## Contributions
- **Secretary-General of the United Nations**: Led the UN from 1953 to 1961, overseeing critical peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts.
- **Congo Crisis**: Played a pivotal role in the UN’s response to the Congo Crisis, where his efforts to broker peace were ultimately unsuccessful.
- **Author**: Published works on economics and international relations, including *The United Nations: A Study in International Organization* (1946).
- **Diplomatic Leadership**: Advocated for the principles of the UN Charter, including collective security and human rights.

## FAQs
**What was Dag Hammarskjöld’s role in the United Nations?**
Dag Hammarskjöld served as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 until his death in 1961. He was responsible for overseeing the UN’s operations and leading its efforts in international diplomacy and peacekeeping.

**Where did Dag Hammarskjöld study?**
Dag Hammarskjöld studied at Uppsala University (1924–1929) and the Stockholm School of Economics (1929–1931), where he developed his expertise in economics and international relations.

**What was the Congo Crisis, and how did Hammarskjöld respond?**
The Congo Crisis was a violent conflict in the Belgian Congo (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) in the late 1960s. Hammarskjöld led the UN’s response, but his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and his death in a plane crash in 1961 remains one of the most infamous diplomatic failures in history.

**What awards did Dag Hammarskjöld receive?**
Dag Hammarskjöld was posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal by the United Nations, and the One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in New York City.

**What was Dag Hammarskjöld’s educational background?**
Dag Hammarskjöld earned degrees from Uppsala University and the Stockholm School of Economics, which provided him with a strong foundation in economics and international relations.

## Why They Matter
Dag Hammarskjöld’s legacy is deeply tied to the United Nations and its principles of peace, human rights, and collective security. His leadership during the Congo Crisis highlighted the challenges of diplomacy in conflict zones, and his untimely death in a plane crash remains a symbol of the dangers faced by those who serve in international peacekeeping. Hammarskjöld’s work laid the groundwork for modern international diplomacy, and his posthumous Nobel Peace Prize underscores his enduring impact on global governance.

## Notable For
- Second Secretary-General of the United Nations (1953–1961)
- Posthumous Nobel Peace Prize recipient (1961)
- Leadership during the Congo Crisis, one of the most infamous diplomatic failures in history
- Author of *The United Nations: A Study in International Organization* (1946)
- Founder of the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, awarded to those who lose their lives in UN peacekeeping missions
- Named the Dag Hammarskjöld Library at the United Nations headquarters

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Dag Hammarskjöld was born on July 29, 1905, in Jönköping, Sweden. He attended Uppsala University from 1924 to 1929, where he studied economics and political science. He later enrolled at the Stockholm School of Economics from 1929 to 1931, furthering his expertise in international economics.

### Career in Diplomacy and Economics
After completing his education, Hammarskjöld joined the Ministry of Finance of Sweden in 1931. He worked there until 1946, where he gained experience in economic policy and international finance. His work in this period laid the foundation for his later role in the United Nations.

### United Nations Service
In 1946, Hammarskjöld was appointed as the Director-General of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), where he oversaw humanitarian efforts during the post-World War II period. His work in this role helped him gain recognition for his diplomatic skills and commitment to international cooperation.

### Secretary-General of the United Nations
In 1953, Hammarskjöld was elected as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, succeeding Trygve Lie. He served in this role until his death in 1961. During his tenure, he focused on strengthening the UN’s capacity to address global crises, including the Congo Crisis.

### The Congo Crisis
One of Hammarskjöld’s most significant challenges was the Congo Crisis, which erupted in the Belgian Congo (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) in the late 1960s. He led the UN’s response, but his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and his death in a plane crash in 1961 remains one of the most infamous diplomatic failures in history.

### Death and Legacy
Dag Hammarskjöld died on September 18, 1961, in a plane crash over the Congo. His death was a profound loss to the United Nations and the global community. He was posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal by the United Nations, and the One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in New York City.

### Publications and Influence
Hammarskjöld was an author and published works on economics and international relations, including *The United Nations: A Study in International Organization* (1946). His writings contributed to the broader discourse on international diplomacy and governance.

### Awards and Recognition
Dag Hammarskjöld received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, and the One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza. These accolades reflect his significant contributions to international diplomacy and peacekeeping.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Hammarskjöld was affiliated with the Uppsala University and the Stockholm School of Economics, where he studied and gained his educational foundation. He was also a member of the United Nations and the Ministry of Finance of Sweden, where he served in various capacities.

### Personal Life and Family
Dag Hammarskjöld was married to Siri Hammarskjöld, and together they had two children. His personal life was marked by his dedication to his family and his commitment to public service.

### Cultural Impact
Dag Hammarskjöld’s legacy extends beyond his professional achievements. He is remembered as a symbol of the dangers faced by those who serve in international diplomacy and peacekeeping. His name is synonymous with the challenges of maintaining peace in conflict zones.

### Historical Context
Dag Hammarskjöld’s career took place during a period of significant geopolitical change, including the Cold War and the decolonization of Africa. His work in the United Nations was shaped by these historical events, and his leadership during the Congo Crisis reflects the complexities of diplomacy in a rapidly changing world.

### Scholarly and Professional Recognition
Dag Hammarskjöld’s contributions to international diplomacy and economics have earned him a place among the most influential figures of the 20th century. His work continues to be studied and referenced in academic and professional circles, ensuring his lasting impact on the field.

## References

1. Sveriges dödbok
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3. [Jönköpings Kristina kyrkoarkiv, Församlingsböcker. Bunden serie, SE/VALA/00170/A II a/5 (1898-1911), bildid: A0008523_00130. Swedish household records](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/A0008523_00130?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0#?cv=129&z=62.2684%2C483.2664%2C2789.9149%2C1710.9832)
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