PERSONAL GALLERY:
Maupertuis
Alexis Clairaut
Réginald Outhier
Anders Celsius
Anders Hellant
The Planström daughters

Anders Hellant

Anders Hellant was born on 30th of November in 1717 in the Korteniemi house in Pello. His father was Anders Hellant Sr, a merchant and a bailiff of Lapland. In 1733 Hellant enrolled at the university of Uppsala. Salmon fishing on the river Tornio was the title of Hellant's dissertation at the end of the studies.

As a young man Hellant worked as provincial magistrate in Västerbotten province and it was in this position he came across with the French expedition at their arrival. He was ordered to be the interpreter of the expedition because he was fluent in French. Also his wide knowledge of the area turned out very useful for the expedition.
Later, for almost half a century, Hellant was one of the most influential persons in the Tornionlaakso Valley. He worked as the King's governor and often travelled for months in the North Calotte area. Despite all his duties Hellant was able to pursue his scientific interests, especially astronomical observations. He had an observatory of his own in Tornio from where he sent his observations to the Science Academy in Stockholm.