Martti Räsänen

Arvo Martti Oktavianus Räsänen (June 25, 1893 – September 7, 1976) was a Finnish linguist and turkologist. He operated as a docent of turkology at University of Helsinki from 1926 forwards, and as an additional professor of Turkic philology from 1944 to 1961.

Räsänen studied in Finland and also in Kazan from 1915 to 1917 and in Budapest during 1924 to 1925.

Räsänen did many exploration trips to Central Europe and Turkey. During his time in Turkey, he collected local poetry, songs, fairy tales and stories. He later released the material in a 600 page, four-part publication named ''Türkische Sprachproben aus Mittel-Anatolien''.

Räsänen’s field of research was history of words, the relation between Turkic and Finno-Ugric languages and some other similar subjects. He showed interest towards the local Tatar community. Räsänen was a supporter of the Ural-Altaic language hypothesis.

His parents were Volksschule teachers Antti Räsänen and Kaisa Sofia Vuolevi. His brother was a lichen researcher and biologist Veli Räsänen.

Martti Räsänen was married to a German woman named Auguste Brunhilde Ludwig. Räsänen was originally from Simo. He died in Helsinki. Provided by Wikipedia