Forsskal's Thoughts on Civil Liberty

Peter Forsskal's "Tankar Om Borgerliga Friheten" was published by Lars Salvius in Stockholm on 23rd Novemeber, 1759.

A group of expert Swedes has produced the first-ever translation of the pamphlet into English, as "Thoughts on Civil Liberty".

Working from Forssksal's original, uncensored manuscript, located in the Swedish National Archives, the translation and a commentary will be published as a booklet by Atlantis Books (Stockholm) and launched 250 years on, at an event in the Old Parliament in Stockholm on November 18th 2009.
The book also contains a specially written chapter by Tomas von Vegesack on Forsskal and the history of freedom of expression in the 18th Century and a Note by Gunilla Jonsson highlighting the differences between the Salvius' version and the original manuscript.

All the material in the book is in English and Swedish.

The book launch event will include a presentation by Johan Hirschfelt (Former president of Svea hovrätt (Svea Court of Appeal), Stockholm and alternate, Council of Europe Venice Commission), and a symposium on freedom of expression in contemporary Sweden in the light of Forsskal's ideas.

Also speaking are Nils Funcke (Chief Editor, Swedish Parliament newspaper, Riksdag and Department) and the Swedish Chancellor of Justice, Goran Lambertz.

This event will be attended by Nils Gyldenadler, a descendant of Forsskal through his half-sister.

For more information regarding this event please contact David Goldberg