Leo Mechelin

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Baron Leo Mechelin
Mechelin in the early 1900s
Personal details
Born	Leopold Henrik Stanislaus Mechelin (1839-11-24)24 November 1839 Hamina, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
Died	26 January 1914(1914-01-26) (aged 74) Helsinki, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
Political party	Independent (after 1885)
Other political affiliations	Liberal Party (1880–1885)
Spouse	Cecilia Lindroos
Children	3
Relatives	Emilie Mechelin (sister)
Alma mater	University of Helsinki (BPhil, MPhil, LLB, PhD)
Occupation	Politician professor businessman
Known for	Leader of the constitutionalist movement Co-founder of Nokia

Leopold Henrik Stanislaus Mechelin (24 November 1839 – 26 January 1914), known as Leo Mechelin, was a Finnish politician, professor, liberal reformer and businessman.^[1] A leading defender of the autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland, and of the rights of women and minorities, Mechelin's 1905–1908 government ("Mechelin's Senate") made Finland the first nation in the world with the universal right to vote and to be elected. During his period in office the freedom of expression, the press, and of assembly were introduced. Mechelin was born and died in Helsinki, Finland.