Dag Hammarskjold Visits Ohio University

Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961), the Swedish diplomat who became the second Secretary-General of the United Nations and who received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1961, visited Ohio University on February 5, 1958.

Hammarskjold, one of the most eminent visitors to campus, came in response to an invitation by President John C. Baker. This virtual exhibit tells the story behind the invitation and goes into detail about his visit, one of the more memorable days in the life of Ohio University.

The background to the visit came as a result of John Baker’s service as the head of the United States delegation to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for a term from 1953-1956. Baker met the Secretary-General during 1953 and, as he explains, did him a favor. Several years later Baker asked Hammarskjold to return the favor and to come and speak at Ohio University. Here is the story.

A note for educators: We have developed question sets for the exhibit and invite you to use the exhibit in your classes.

Credits:
Produced by George W. Bain
Text by Janet Polzer
Web design by Marius Dan and Tim Smith
Created: March-July 2007