Dag Hammarskjöld
(1905 - 1961) Sweden
Diplomat and U.N. Secretary General
Hammarskjöld was a lifelong bachelor. In 1953-58 he was Secretary General of the United Nations. For the next eight years he worked tirelessly for world peace. His particular emphasis was on easing Cold War tensions betveen the United States and Russia.
The major crisis during his two terms was the Suez controversy (1956), in which he opposed Britain, France and Israel. His attempts to solve the problem of Congo (now Zaire), where he was killed in a plane crash while on a peace-keeping mission in Africa (1961), were attacked by the Soviet Union. He was posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1961.
In addition to world government, Hammarskjöld was interested in literature and philosophy. Here is a quote from Markings, his book of poetry and prose:
"You are your own god - and are surprised
when you find that the wolf pack is hunting you
across the desolate ice fields of winter."
Hammarskjold made no attempt to hide his homosexuality throughout his career.
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