I had the pleasure of reading this remarkable correspondence between John Steinbeck and Dag Hammarskjöld, the 2nd secretary-general of the U.N. The letters offer a fascinating glimpse into Hammarskjöld’s wide-ranging intellectual and artistic interests. It also reveals the deep respect that developed between two men who, though working in very different arenas — shared a profound moral seriousness, commitment to humanity and an unwavering concern for social justice.

You can check out the letters here.

Steinbeck and Hammarskjöld were introduced by their mutual friend, Swedish artist Bo Beskow. Their correspondence shows that Steinbeck felt a deep admiration for Hammarskjöld, a man entrusted with immense global authority who nonetheless embodied humility, integrity, and an instinctive sense of moral responsibility. Steinbeck saw in him something rare: a natural leader, a truly ethical man who could be trusted to place the public good above personal ambition or political expediency, a living example of principled leadership.

Their exchange stands as a testament not only to Hammarskjöld’s engagement with the arts, but also to the mutual recognition between two figures committed to the dignity and moral responsibility of humankind. 

Among the letters I was fascinated by Steinbeck’s proposal to the United Nations, and enjoyed getting a glimpse into Steinbeck’s personality and friendships. The pictures posted here are from the Midsommar celebration in Sweden that Steinbeck, Hammarskjöld, and Beskow (as well as their families) attended. Steinbeck writes in one of the letters about his hilarious “frog hop” around the Midsommar pole on Bo Beskow’s farm. 

Images also include a portrait of Steinbeck painted by their friend Bo Beskow.

Pictures courtesy of the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies, San Jose State University.