Ernst Rosenqvist

Ernst Rosenqvist graduated from Helsinki’s Finnish Normal Lyceum in 1890. He earned a degree in law in 1894 and the title of a “varatuomari” (deputy judge) three years later. He then worked as a lawyer in Vyborg (1898-1904), and later founded an office in Mikkeli (1901-18). From 1906-18, Rosenqvist was a member of the Mikkeli city council and held various positions in the local administration.

After independence, Rosenqvist was appointed governor of Mikkeli County (1918-27) and eventually judge at the Kuopio District Court (1927-32). As one of the founders of the Finnish Civil Guard, a voluntary militia, and part of the Whites movement, he was army chief Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim’s favourite to become the Guard’s commander-in-chief. However, Rosenqvist refused to take the position.

Rosenqvist started competitive shooting as a schoolboy. From 1888, he was a member of the Suomen Metsästysyhdistys shooting club, and in Vyborg of the Vyborg County Hunting Society. After he moved to Mikkeli, he became a member of the Mikkeli County Shooting Society. In 1918, Rosenqvist was one of the co-founders of the Finnish Rifle Association and was elected chairman the following year, holding this position until his death in 1932.

Rosenqvist competed in the running target, single shot events at the Stockholm Olympics, winning bronze in the team event. In 1922, he placed second in a rifle competition in Copenhagen, and in 1929, aged 60, participated in the deer shooting team event at the World Shooting Championships in Stockholm.