Knut Olivecrona and his ”Om dödsstraffet”. - Figuras

moratoriums were appreciated roads to abolition de jure. One might wonder of
the history and genetics of these lines of thought and note that arguably the
position of Naumann is the more modern with strong connections to the
Enlightenment view of for instance the relationship between law and pardon. On
the other hand the view of Olivecrona is not hard to reconcile with a more
conservative approach were the law might be esteemed but not so that it
encroaches on the royal position and prerogatives such as mercy.
There might also be a theological perspective at work in the conflict between
the two legal positions described above. Axel Adlercreutz who hadn't obtained
the execution of Margareta Larsson in 1868 was minister of justice in 1872
when Carl Otto Andersson was executed. At the death of Adlercreutz
Olivecrona commented that his support for the penalty of death was connected
to his ’pietistic’ views.1 Interesting is then that both Adlercreutz and Naumann
had been active in low-church piety and organisations. Could their theological
milieu be a factor in how they saw the law and themselves in their judicial
capacity? Especially Naumann had a non-confessional trait and stood close to
the missionary society of Basel,2 In the mid-nineteenth century there was in
those circles an interest for and closeness to reformed Churches and theology.
Especially the free Church of Scotland was popular. 3 There is, however, not
necessary a case of reformed influence. Law, at least divine law, had a strong
position also in older Swedih tradition.4 Olivecronas own piety is evident and
the pronounced pastoral perspective often present in his descriptions of the
condemned may be seen as a fruit both of emotional empathy and of his piety.5
But his piety doesn't seem to have had closer connections to the circles of
Adlercreutz and Naumann.
1 Note in the diary of Knut Olivecrona 22/5 1880 Kartong 17 OFA RA. On the piety in the
Adlercreutz home see Scheffer 1921 p 94, 114.
2 See for example Sundkler 1937 p 183, 223, 283, 350 sq, 357, 361 sq, 368 sq, 373 sq, 396,
425, 450 sqq, 459 sqq and Jarlert 2001 p 119.
3 See for example Rodhe 1926.
4 See for example Kjöllerström 1957.
5 Olivecronas diaries proves sufficiently that church and faith definitely played a role in his
life. Sunday after sunday he noted which preacher he had heard and often commented on the
quality of the sermons. When his first wife Malla died in 1854 he wrote on the day of the
burial: ”Frid öfver hennes minne. Må Gud vara med mig och barnen.” And when he became
engaged to his second wife Rosalie, the comment was: “Gud välsigne henne.” Important
events but also anniversaries of for instance births or marriages or deaths are often mentioned
with such comments. 10/10 1854 and 9/4 1857 and passim, diaries of Knut Olivecrona
Kartong 17 OFA RA. Cf also the note on 28/8 1875 for the death of his son Thomas where all
present kneeled and prayed together the Lord's prayer and the blessing. The last words of
Thomas was: ”Jesus Kristus skall mig uppväcka på den yttersta dagen.” Olivecrona ended the
note: ”Herren gav och Herren tog, välsignat vare Hans heliga namn.” Diaries of Knut
Olivecrona Kartong 17 OFA RA.
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