Queer Places:
Vadstena Klosterkyrka, Lasarettsgatan 5, 592 30 Vadstena, Sweden

Anna Charlotta Danell (née Gustafsson, October 13, 1877 - December 14, 1964) was born on October 13, 1877, in Yxstad, Östergötland, Sweden. Raised in Östergötland alongside her siblings, including her sister Brita Johanna Gustafsson, she went on to pursue her education and form intellectual connections within Swedish academic and activist circles at the turn of the 20th century. During this era, she met the prominent Swedish historian, teacher, and leader of the National Association for Women's Suffrage (LKPR), Dr. Lydia Wahlström.

Throughout the late 1890s and 1900s, Anna Gustafsson established a deeply significant romantic and emotional partnership with Lydia Wahlström. Their relation, documented in extensive personal correspondence, formed a central part of Wahlström's life during her foundational years leading the women's rights movement in Sweden. Within the history of Swedish LGBTQ+ and queer women's relationships—which contemporary historians often frame through the lens of kvinnosak solidarity and romantic female friendship (kvinnovänskap)—Anna stood alongside figures like Klara Johanson and Anita Nathorst as one of the pivotal romantic attachments of Wahlström’s lifetime.

On November 20, 1909, at the age of 32, Anna married Gideon Danell (1873–1957), a scholar and rector who was the brother of Hjalmar Danell, Bishop of Skara. Together, Anna and Gideon had a daughter named Brita Danell (later Brita Mannerheim). Despite Anna’s marriage, the deep connection between Anna, Gideon, and Lydia evolved into a unique, lifelong companionate dynamic often documented in biographical studies as the complex relationship between "Anna, Gideon, and Lydia". Rather than terminating their intimacy, Wahlström remained a lifelong close friend and companion to both Anna and Gideon.

The bond among the trio endured throughout their lives, and Anna’s daughter, Brita Mannerheim, later authored the historical biography Med Lydia eller Livslång trohet mellan tre ("With Lydia, or Lifelong Fidelity Among Three"), detailing the intertwined lives and enduring affection shared between Anna, Gideon, and Lydia. Following Gideon's death in 1957, Anna continued to live in Östergötland until her death on December 14, 1964, at the age of 87. She was laid to rest alongside her family and close to Lydia Wahlström in Östergötland, reflecting their shared legacy and lifelong connection.

References:

• Mannerheim, Brita. Med Lydia eller Livslång trohet mellan tre ("With Lydia, or Lifelong Fidelity Among Three"). Stockholm: Carlsson Bokförlag, 1989.
• Wahlström, Lydia. Trotsig och försagd: Mitt livs konturer ("Defiant and Timid: The Outlines of My Life"). Stockholm: Natur & Kultur, 1949.
• Lydia Wahlströms arkiv (The Lydia Wahlström Archive). Repository: Handskriftsavdelningen (Manuscripts Department), Kungliga biblioteket (National Library of Sweden), Stockholm.
• KvinnSam – Nationellt bibliotek för genusforskning (National Resource Library for Gender Studies). Repository: Gothenburg University Library (Göteborgs universitetsbibliotek).
• Svenskt kvinnobiografiskt lexikon (SKBL) / Biographical Dictionary of Swedish Women. Entry: "Lydia Katarina Wahlström, 1869-06-28 – 1954-06-02" (authored by Ingrid Heyman, 2018).
• Church Records (Kyrkoarkiv) of Yxstad & Östergötland County: Födelse- och dopböcker (Birth and Baptism Registers, 1877) detailing Anna Charlotta's birth on October 13, 1877 [cite: 18. Gideon Danell Norrköping 21-8-1873 + Väversunda 14-5-1957; Brother of Hjalmar D. ( Sund 3-6-1860 + 22-1-1938), Bishop of Skara stift 1905-1935, 19. Anna Charlotta Gustafsson Yxstad 13-10-1877 + 14-12-1964.].
• Göteborg & Vadstena Marriage/Household Examination Records (Husförhörslängder / Församlingsböcker): Documents her November 20, 1909 marriage to Gideon Danell and their residence history [cite: 18. Gideon Danell Norrköping 21-8-1873 + Väversunda 14-5-1957; Brother of Hjalmar D. ( Sund 3-6-1860 + 22-1-1938), Bishop of Skara stift 1905-1935, 19. Anna Charlotta Gustafsson Yxstad 13-10-1877 + 14-12-1964.].
• Vadstena Klosterkyrka Burial Registry (1964): Record of Anna Charlotta Danell's death on December 14, 1964, and burial in Vadstena, Östergötland [cite: 18. Gideon Danell Norrköping 21-8-1873 + Väversunda 14-5-1957; Brother of Hjalmar D. ( Sund 3-6-1860 + 22-1-1938), Bishop of Skara stift 1905-1935, 19. Anna Charlotta Gustafsson Yxstad 13-10-1877 + 14-12-1964., Anna Charlotta Gustafsson Danell].

Support this project
This website is a passion project researched, developed, and funded entirely by me. If you find the content valuable and would like to help support the ongoing research and hosting costs, any contribution is deeply appreciated.
Thank you for keeping this independent resource alive!

My books on Amazon: Elisa Rolle's books

BACK TO HOME PAGE