Who was Dag Hammarskjöld? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld

Died At Age: 56

Family:

father: Hjalmar Hammarskjöld

Diplomats Swedish Men

Height: 1.79 m

Died on: September 18, 1961

place of death: Ndola, Zambia

Cause of Death: Airplane Crash

Notable Alumni: Stockholm University

More Facts

education: Uppsala University, Stockholm University

awards: Nobel Peace Prize

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1

What was Dag Hammarskjöld's role as the Secretary-General of the United Nations?

Dag Hammarskjöld served as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 until his tragic death in 1961, working to promote peace and resolve conflicts around the world.
2

How did Dag Hammarskjöld contribute to the resolution of the Congo Crisis?

Dag Hammarskjöld played a key role in trying to resolve the Congo Crisis by leading UN efforts to mediate the conflict and support the country's independence and stability.
3

What were Dag Hammarskjöld's views on international diplomacy and cooperation?

Dag Hammarskjöld believed in the importance of international diplomacy, cooperation, and the rule of law to address global challenges and promote peace and security.
4

What was the legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld's leadership at the United Nations?

Dag Hammarskjöld's legacy at the United Nations includes his dedication to peacekeeping, diplomacy, and human rights, inspiring future generations to strive for a better world.

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Childhood & Early Life

Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld was born on 29 July 1905 in Jönköping, Sweden, as the fourth and youngest son of Hjalmar Hammarskjöld and Agnes Hammarskjöld (née Almquist). His father, a prominent politician later served as the Prime Minister of Sweden and was chairman of the Board of the Nobel Foundation.

Dag Hammarskjöld studied at Katedralskolan and then at Uppsala University from where he earned a degree in humanities in 1925. He then proceeded to complete a second degree in economics three years later.

He also studied law, completing his degree in 1930 and was appointed the Secretary of a governmental committee on unemployment, a post he served in until the completion of his doctorate in economics in 1934.

He also loved poetry, music and painting. In addition, he was an athletic young man and a competent performer in gymnastics, with interests in mountaineering and skiing as well.

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Career

He embarked on a successful career as a Swedish public servant, becoming the Secretary of the Sveriges Riksbank in 1936. He rose up the ranks quickly and served as Chairman of the bank from 1941 and 1948.

His stance as a diplomat continued to rise and in 1946 he became the financial adviser of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1949, he was named Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in 1951 became the deputy foreign minister. Throughout this period, he stayed clear from affiliating himself with any political party.

He promoted a policy of international economic cooperation and collaborated on the political level in the Council of Europe and on the economic level in the Organization of European Economic Cooperation.

He played a major role in coordinating government plans to alleviate the economic problems in the period following the World War II. He represented Sweden as a delegate to the United Nations in 1949 and in 1951. Hammarskjöld was Vice Chairman of the Swedish delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in Paris.

Dag Hammarskjöld was elected Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1953 for a five-year term. Receiving 57 votes out of 60, he was the first to be elected unanimously to the position. He was re-elected in 1957.

In this position he established his own secretariat of 4,000 administrators and set up regulations that defined their responsibilities. He also planned and supervised every detail in the creation of a "meditation room" at the UN headquarters where people, regardless of their faith, creed, or religion could withdraw into themselves.

He was instrumental in attempting to ease relations between Israel and the Arab states. He visited China in 1955 to negotiate release of 11 captured US pilots who had served in the Korean War. He also played a vital role in defusing the Suez Canal crisis in 1956.

In the late 1950s, he directed the establishment of the UN Observation Group in Lebanon and the UN Office in Jordan, bringing about the withdrawal of the American and British troops which had been sent there to deal with the crises.

Major Works

Much praised and respected for his commitment to peace during the civil war in the Congo, he made four trips to the newly independent African country, to take up the various social and political problems stemming in the nation. Hammarskjöld was made in charge of operations of the UN peace-keeping force. The Soviet Union, however, criticized his efforts and demanded his resignation. But he remained steadfast in his efforts and refused to resign under pressure.

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Awards & Achievements

Dag Hammarskjöld posthumously received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, having been nominated before his death. He was lauded by the Nobel committee for having built up an efficient and independent UN Secretariat, and for having taken an independent line towards the great powers.

Personal Life & Legacy

Dag Hammarskjöld was believed to be homosexual though there is no conclusive evidence to suggest the same.

In the midst of the Congo crisis, he learned that fighting had erupted between Katanga troops and the noncombatant forces of the UN. Hammarskjöld was on his way to negotiate a cease-fire on 18 September 1961, just after midnight, when his plane crashed down near Ndola, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), killing him and 15 others. Some recent evidence suggests the plane was shot down.

In 1997, the U.N. Security Council established the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal in recognition and commemoration of those who have lost their lives as a result of UN peacekeeping operations.

Facts About Dag Hammarskjöld

Dag Hammarskjöld was known for his love of literature and was an accomplished writer himself, publishing several books of poetry and philosophical reflections.

Despite his busy schedule as Secretary-General of the United Nations, Hammarskjöld made time to pursue his passion for mountaineering and often escaped to the Swiss Alps for climbing expeditions.

Hammarskjöld was a polyglot who spoke several languages fluently, including Swedish, English, French, and German, which helped him navigate the complexities of international diplomacy.

He was a dedicated advocate for human rights and worked tirelessly to promote peace and conflict resolution during his time at the United Nations, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize posthumously.

Hammarskjöld had a reputation for his humility and modesty, preferring to live a simple and frugal lifestyle despite holding one of the most prominent positions in the world.

Dag Hammarskjöld Biography

You wanted to know

What was Dag Hammarskjöld's role as the Secretary-General of the United Nations?

How did Dag Hammarskjöld contribute to the resolution of the Congo Crisis?

What were Dag Hammarskjöld's views on international diplomacy and cooperation?

What was the legacy of Dag Hammarskjöld's leadership at the United Nations?