Louise af Forselles (1850-1934), was a Finnish philanthropist and salvationist. She was the central figure of the Christian charitable activity in contemporary Finland. She introduced the

Salvation Army Salvation (from Latin: ''salvatio'', from ''salva'', 'safe, saved') is the state of being saved or protected from harm or a dire situation. In religion and theology, ''salvation'' generally refers to the deliverance of the soul from sin and its c ...

to Finland in 1889.kansallisbiografia Suomen kansallisbiografia (National Biography of Finland) Louise af Forselles was a known Christian

philanthropist Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...

in Finland with a secure position in society due to her status as a

baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...

ess. She became involved with the work of the Salvation Army during a visit to her sister in

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

in 1888. She was given a suggestion to introduce the army in Finland, to which she agreed. In 1889, she introduced the Salvation army in Finland.

References

kansallisbiografia Suomen kansallisbiografia (National Biography of Finland)
1850 births 1934 deaths 19th-century Finnish nobility Finnish philanthropists Finnish Salvationists {{Finland-bio-stub