BLAZON OF ARMS:
SHIELD: Per Pale, Gules, two keys in saltire between bendlets sinister Argent; Or a volcano ablaze Proper with an arrow Argent bendwise in base; overall on a chief
Azure a bishop’s mitre Or between two mullets Argent.
SOURCE, NOTES and CREDITS: arms, colour illustration and text: internet “Escutcheons of Science” article on Swedenborg and Wikipedia article on Bryn Athyn Cathedral.
Emanuel Swedenborg (8 Feb 1688- 29 Mar 1772) was the son of a Swedish Lutheran bishop, Jesper Swedberg (1653-1735). The son Emanuel became a Swedish scientist, philosopher, author and at age 56 became a Christian mystic and theologian founding what became Swedenborgism.
In 1718 Queen Ulrike Eleonora of Sweden ennobled Swedenborg and his siblings. It was common in Sweden in 17th and 18th centuries for the children of bishops to receive this honour.
Of interest to Americans is the Swedenborgian Bryn Athyn Cathedral in the middle of a corn field in Bryn Athyn, Montgomery County, outside Philadelphia. The main structure is Early Gothic style whilst the adjoining structures are of a transitional period between Gothic and Norman styles. The Cathedral itself is reminiscent of Gloucester Cathedral in England and was built between 1913-1928. The bulk of the funding was from the Pitcairn family starting with John Pitcairn founder of PPG industries.
The artwork is an interpretation of John Hamilton Gaylor.
2025 0406
dqw266@gmail.com
