Daniel Lorenz Salthenius

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Daniel Lorenz Salthenius (March 16, 1701-January 29, 1750) was a professor of theology at the University of Königsberg from 1732 until his death. Born in Uppsala to a Lutheran pastor, he was a noted Pietist and was brought to Königsberg to help the Pietist cause there.

While a distinguished theologian, his orthodox Lutheran opponents accused Salthenius of having made a pact with the devil. While a student in his native Uppsala, he allegedly wrote a letter in his own blood, asking the devil to provide Salthenius with a bottomless bag of money in exchange for his body and soul. He placed the letter under an oak tree, where it was found by a local farmer. He promptly left Sweden for the University of Halle, where he would study for several years. Despite these accusations, Salthenius was not dismissed from the university, remaining a full professor.