Early Life
Martensen was born in a middle-class Lutheran family in Flensburg, Duchy of Schleswig (now Germany), as their only son. At that time Schleswig was a duchy between Holstein and Denmark. He grew up in a German-speaking society, while his father who was a schoolmaster, writer and sea-captain preferred to use Danish. Consequently the young Martensen upbrought in a multicultural situation and reconciliation of different cultures became his one of central interests through his life.
He studied theology in Copenhagen, and later was ordained in the Danish Church. From 1834 till 1836 he travelled foreign countries. He visited several cities including Berlin, Munich, Vienna and Paris. He met influential intellects including Hegel, David Strauss, Franz von Baader and Schelling. During his travel, he began to read mystics, Eckhart, Tauler and Boehme. Also he studied Dante's The Divine Comedy with a great interest.
Read more about this topic: Hans Lassen Martensen
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