Mikael Agricola (c. 1510-1557) developed Finnish into a literary form, first publishing a primer for reading (ABC book) and a catechism in 1543. He later produced a prayer book and the first Finnish-language translation of the New Testament, as well as several other liturgical works.
Agricola was a prominent leader of the Protestant reformation and bishop of Turku. In the 1530s he studied in Wittenberg, Germany, where he met Martin Luther.
Agricola also undertook diplomatic missions on behalf of the Swedish Crown. In 1557 he was a member of a delegation in Moscow negotiating a peace treaty. He fell ill on the return trip and died. He was buried in Vyborg, but the location of his grave is unknown.
