”Sulimmat kiitoxeni runollisesta kirjeestäsi” – Eliel Lagercrantzin suhdeverkosto kirjeaineiston valossa

This article deals with the life and network of relationships of the linguist Eliel Lagercrantz (1894–1973) through his personal correspondence under private collection Coll.834.1–27 held at the Finnish National Library in Helsinki. Based on the material, Lagercrantz seems to have been uncompromising. He was uncompromising in relation to himself, demanded a lot from himself, worked at an almost manic pace, and thoroughly familiarized himself with the subjects he studied. He seems to have had an internal struggle between the role of a precise and exact linguist and the role of an interpreter of the deeper psychological meanings of language. Lagercrantz was also uncompromising in his relationships. Few were able to match him in uncompromisingness. Those who aspired to this, as is customary in the academic world, also received uncompromising treatment from Eliel. The same uncompromisingness was also repeated in his close relationships. He was considered a difficult colleague, who failed also to adapt to common rules or accustomed customs. The term eccentric could be used for him.