By Jørgen Malling Christensen

Summary of a presentation to the General Assembly of the International Rasmus Malling-Hansen Society May 27, 2012 in Cologne.

The presentation was structured around the adjacent illustration of a large tree, where the roots represent RMH’s family – ancestors and descendents – as well as his foster father, Rasmus Malling, from whom he got the name Malling. The branches indicate major achievements as well as important phases of his life.

The intention of the presentation was twofold:

a) to illustrate that his achievements were very diverse and broad, with important contributions and legacies in many different areas;

b) to point out areas where our society needs to do more research.

Starting with the root at 4 o’clock and moving around the picture clockwise, the following points are important to note:

1. 7 daughters and their descendents: We have a fairly complete register of all descendents of the 7 daughters, with numerous relatives and families living in Denmark and the USA, several of whom are members of the Society. However, we have only sketchy information of the lives of the daughters and their families (the most complete information at hand is about Johanne). We would like to find additional information and photos and include them on the website.

2. 2 wives: Both wives – Cathrine Georgia Heiberg (1841-1876) and Anna Steenstrup (1842-1897) – are from interesting and important families, and it is relevant to research these respective families in more detail and to include the findings on the website.

3. Ancestors: Luckily, RMH’s paternal ancestry has been researched thoroughly, and we have names and dates of all of his relatives back to 1720, i.e. his great-great-grandfather. On his mother’s side, however, the trail is cold, and we know little apart from the names of Juliane’s father Lars Matzen and mother Margrethe Jensine Pedersdatter.It would be interesting to find out why she was abandoned by Lars and Margrethe at such an early age and adopted by Rasmus Malling and his wife Ane Marie.

4. 2 brothers and their descendents: RMHs two younger brothers were Thomas Jørgen Hansen (1837-1919) and Johan Frederik Hansen (1839 – 1918). As far as we know Thomas had no children? However, Johan Frederik had one surviving daughter, Juliane Marie Hansen (1879-1958) from whom there were 9 children and a large number of descendents, some of whom are members of our Society.

5. Rasmus Malling: RMH’s foster father (1787-1857) was of huge importance to him, his brothers and to their mother. He hailed from an important and interesting Norwegian family, and we have traced his ancestry back to 1625. Our research in this respect seems fairly complete, but we still need to find out more about Rasmus Malling’s links to certain families of the Norwegian and Danish nobility.

6. RMH’s primary school studies (1842-1849), his contact with reverend Gude (1850), and his apprenticeship as a house painter(1850-1852): We are yet to find records of his schooling and of his 2 years as apprentice to be a house painter in Maribo.

7. Theological studies and his period at “Regensen”: There is as yet very scarce information about this period; in particular we need to find documentation about his residence at the university college of Regensen (1861-1862)

8. Priest and preacher in sign language: RMH is said to have been an remarkably skilled and talented preacher in sign languages. We need to find texts of his sermons and to learn more about his theological beliefs and priorities.

9. European study tour in 1868: As a young teacher of the deaf-mutes RMH was sent on a tour to some European countries in order to study how the teaching of various categories of deaf-mutes was organized. We have not yet found any report or documentation about this trip.

10. The international language Volapyk: RMH was one of the two most important Danish pioneers for the promotion of this artificial international language. We need to find more documentation about his achievements in this area (e.g.study the Danish Volapyk journal) and about his contacts with the other great promoter in this field, Wilhelm Hansen.

11. Freemason: As a very high-ranking member of a Masonic lodge, appointed as speaker for the lodge, there must be Masonic records of RMH’s contributions and achievements. Research in this area is very much called for.

12. Colleagues and friends: We know of some 40-50 important colleagues and friends of RMH, and in many cases there is scope for more research, trying to find correspondence or other documentation.

13. Cartographic design: We have found 6 world maps projected by RMH as part of his research into biological growth and solar (or cosmic) rays, but we are yet to learn how to interpret and understand these maps.

14. Research into solar (cosmic) rays and biological growth: There are at least five research avenues to follow up – a) document RMH’s private and public sponsorships; b) find out how RMH’s research influenced European, particularly German, medical research in his lifetime; c) Document how his research influenced Swedish scientists in the 19th century and in the 1930s (Gustav Nylin and others); d)find links with present day research into the influence of cosmic rays on circadian rhytms (Svensmark in Denmark e.g.); e) find RMH-documents taken over by the Antropological Committee, Denmark, in the 1920’s.

15. Writing balls, the takygraf and xerography: This is a vast research area, where we have done a lot already but much remains, e.g.:a) A number of writing ball patents are still missing; b) we still have not found the takygraf; c) need to update the list of known writing ball; d) we must include documentation on our website about the museums worldwide which own and exhibit writing balls; e) need to search newspapers and magazines from the 19th century to find additional articles about writing balls, the takygraf and the invention of xerography; f) include much more documentation on our website regarding the RMH keyboard and its superior qualities (ref Dieter Eberwein’s lecture May 2012); g) more research into RMH’s links with the Ritzau Agency ; h) Find out more about Jürgensen’s and Lyngbye’s companies; i) Continue the ongoing effort to check to what extent RMH and the writing ball are mentioned in Wikipedias of 60 different languages and add to the information provided plus ensure there are links to our Society website.

16. RMH as pedagogical reformer and planner in Denmark and in the Nordic countries: Much is already and has been documented by us, but we must continue to search documents related to RMH’s vast and deep influence as a reformer and planner of special education.

17. Teacher of deaf-mutes: We know that RMH was a brilliant and caring teacher, loved and respected, and we need more personal accounts of this aspect of his achievements.

18. Principal of the institute for the deaf-mutes, planner and daily manager: 25 years in this capacity and, again, we need more documentation and personal accounts by pupils, colleagues and friends about this area.

19. Schleswig Institute: Recently we have found and documented hitherto unknown material about his period at the institute (1862-64), and this line of research is to be followed up and deepened.

20. Jonstrup Teacher Training Institute: RMH was the key organizer of Jonstrup’s centenary jubilee and its keynote speaker. We must find documentation about his period as a student there1852-54.

21. Knuthenborg and his work as a tutor/assistant teacher: The Knuth family and the Knuthenborg manor were of decisive importance to his life and career; more research into local achives could reveal more about this period. Very little is known about his work as a tutor 1854-55.