iFACTS | Olof Torén

Date of Birth	1 October 1718.
Place of Birth	Sätila, Västergötland, Sweden.
Date of Death	17 August 1753.
Place of Death	Näsinge, Bohuslän, Sweden.
Monuments Medals Etc.	His grave is not preserved at Näsinge church.
Variations of Name's Spelling	Olavus Torén (in his signature).
Preserved signature	Yes. In a list at Gothenburg’s student society at Uppsala University.
Portrait	Unknown.
Childhood, Adolescence & Education	Father, head of the county constabulary Bengt Torén. Mother, Magdalena Olufsdotter Brandtberg. The family moved in 1720 to Sämbs - in a neighbouring county - when his father got a new employment in the jurisdictional districts of Kinds and Redväg. Olof was the oldest among eight siblings. In younger years, Olof was most probably educated at home. Göteborgs gymnasium, signed in 5 February 1734. Student, Uppsala University, signed in 6 September 1737. His primarily studies were for the priesthood, but he had also a deep interest in natural history. Ordained priest, 16 December 1747.
Professional Life	Torén probably worked as a tutor - in conjunction with his studies - during his 10 year long period at Uppsala. Torén was employed as a ship’s priest on the Swedish East India Company ship Hoppet on a voyage to Canton in China from 26 January 1748 until 11 July 1749. Torén was employed as ship’s priest a second time on the Swedish East India Company ship Götha Leijon on a voyage to Surat in India and Canton in China from 22 February 1750 until 26 July 1752, the ship also anchored at Madeira and Ascension. After his return to Gothenburg in July 1752 his health was weakened. He stayed for a shorter period in Strömstad, but soon moved back to the closely situated Näsinge - where he had relatives and friends - when his illness worsened. During this time he wrote the seven letters to Linnaeus, which shaped his short travel journal from the second East India journey. The last letter was written 3 May 1753, a couple of months before Torén’s death.
Journeys & Voyages	Journey to Canton in China in The Swedish East India Company’s ship Hoppet, 26 January 1748 to 11 July 1749. (His journey was financed by his employment as ship’s priest). Journey to Surat in India and Canton in China, The Swedish East India Company’s ship Götha Leijon, 22 February 1750 to 26 July 1752. (His journey was financed by his employment as ship’s priest).
Travel Diaries & Other Publications in Connection with the Journeys & Voyages	En Ostindisk Resa Til Suratte, China &c. Från 1750 April 1. til 1752. Jun. 26 Förrättad af Olof Torén... (This travel narrative - the seven letters to Linnaeus - was published as an appendix in Pehr Osbeck’s travel journal).
Civil Status & Family	Unmarried.
Preserved Collections & Manuscripts	Two samples of herbarium plants - “Torenia asiatica” - collected in Canton 1748 by Torén to Linnaeus. The Linnean Society of London.
Extra Notes	Linnaeus named a plant family Torenia to the memory of Torén, after an unknown herb as Torén sent him during his first East India journey. Linnaeus considered Torén “as was of his character gifted with a clever genius” and further more a promising botanist.
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