Lars Levi Laestadius

Preacher and botanist

Norway Post commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of preacher and botanist Lars Levi Laestadius.

Lars Levi Laestadius (1800-1861)

The Swedish preacher and botanist Lars Levi Laestadius (1800-1861) bridged the gap between faith and science. The clergyman Laestadius was the founder of Laestadianism, an extremely pious form of Lutheranism and one of Scandinavia's most eminent botanists.

Amateur botanist

Lars had an extremely though childhood. His father was an alcoholic who tried his hands at making a living in the silver mines in the Nasa mountains. In 1808, after his father lost his job, the family moved in to Lars Levi's half-brother Carl Erik. Carl was a keen amateur botanist and stimulated Lars's interests in plants.

Botanical study

In 1819 Lars Levi Laestadius entered university examinations. He began a botanical study tour which took him to the coast of Helgoland in Norway. A report of this tour was printed in book form.
This report won Laestadius such recognition and status that the Swedish Academy of Science and Letters decided to finance his later field trips.
In 1827 he married Brita Katarina Alstadius. They were blessed with fifteen children.

Discovered two remarkable plants

Laestadius discovered two of Norway's most remarkable plants: The lifelong saxifrage (saxifraga paniculata) and Laestadius' poppy (papaver laestadianum). His other important botanical heritage was a herbarium, containing 6,500 plants. This was purchased by the Swedish Academy of Science and Letters after his death in 1861.
As a revivalist preacher and clergyman, Laestadius spoke out very strongly against the evils of drinking, theft and fornication.

Stamps in detail

Date of issue: 15 September 2000.
Value: 5 kr.
Design: Arild Yttri.
Print: Offset by Norges Banks Seddeltrykkeri.

More information

Stamps of Norway
Postage Stamps 2000