After graduating from Saint Augustinus school in #Grimma, a school founded by prince elector Maurice of #Saxony for the education of future state servants, Esaias #Pufendorf continued his training at the university of #Leipzig where he studied #philosophy and #classical studies. In 1650 he received a doctoral degree for his dissertation on druids. Pufendorf started his career as educator of the son of Swedish field marshal Christopher of #Königsmarck through whom he came into contact with influential circles in #Sweden. In 1659 he entered into Swedish service as registrar in the royal chancery. (2/5)

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Shortly thereafter Pufendorf’s diplomatic career took off. In 1661 he accompanied the Swedish #ambassador to #England as a secretary. The following year #Pufendorf was sent to East #Prussia for negotiations with the coastal cities. In 1664 he joined the Swedish #embassy in #Paris where he stayed until 1670. That year Pufendorf was transferred to the Swedish duchies of #Bremen and #Verden and appointed councillor. In this capacity he continued his diplomatic activities in Northern Germany. In 1671 he became Swedish ambassador at the Imperial #court in #Vienna. (3/5)

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His career as a Swedish #diplomat came to an end in the 1680s due to a conflict with members of the Swedish government on the state’s foreign policy. In 1687 #Pufendorf finally requested his resignation.

Already the following year he entered into Danish service and was dispatched to the #PerpetualDiet in #Regensburg as representative of the Danish king.

However, although it was not unusual for #earlymodern state servants and #emdiplomats to change employer, the Swedish government resented Pufendorf’s decision, probably because he chose Sweden’s fiercest rival. As a consequence, the Swedish Supreme court issued a verdict the year after Pufendorf’s death in which he was declared deprived of his land, property and life. (4/5)

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