History’s 100 most important Swedes.

 

  • 1. Gustav Vasa, King, 1496-1550. Gustav Vasa was elected number one because he created the nation Sweden, turning it into a modern centrally managed state. “He governed Sweden as if it were one giant barn,” wrote Erik Gustaf Geijer, and as a result in just a few decades Sweden went from a sub-arctic developing country to one of northern Europe’s richest military states.

  • The journalists Niklas Ekdal and Petter Karlsson’s book “Historiens 100 viktigaste svenskar” (History’s 100 most important Swedes) will hit bookstores in May. Here's a look at the top ten. 1. Gustav Vasa, King, 1496-1550. 2. Astrid Lindgren, Author, 1907-2002. 3. Axel Oxenstierna, Statesman, 1583-1654. 4. Alfred Nobel, Inventor, 1833-1896. 5. Olof Palme, Politician, 1927-1986. 6. Marcus Wallenberg, Banker, 1899-1982. 7. Evert Taube, Poet and Composer, 1890-1976. 8. Lars Magnus Eriksson, Entrepreneur, 1846-1926. 9. Karl XIV Johan, King, 1763-1844. 10. Carl Larsson, Artist, 1853-1919.
    In the complete list of the most important Swedes, there are 84 men, 16 women, 11 politicians and 10 royalties. August Strindberg came in 14th place, IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad in 18th, Ingmar Bergman in 19th, and Carl von Linné came in the 21st spot. Almost but not quite making the top ten: Saint Birgitta at number 11.

  • 2. Astrid Lindgren, Author, 1907-2002. What would we have known about cramming sausages and hay-making if we hadn't had Lindgren? How much has Saltkråkan done for our inner picture of the perfect Swedish vacation? What has Pippi, Madicken and Ronja not done for our feminist awakening? And have not Bröderna Lejonhjärta changed our view of death and afterlife? Astrid Lindgren, an important and beloved Swede.

  • The complete list:

  • 3. Axel Oxenstierna, Statesman, 1583-1654. Oxenstierna is widely considered one of the most influential people in Swedish history. He played an important role during the Thirty Years' War and was appointed Governor-General of occupied Prussia; he also laid the foundations of Swedish central government administration.

  • 1. Gustav Vasa, King, 1496-1550.
    2. Astrid Lindgren, Author, 1907-2002.
    3. Axel Oxenstierna, Statesman, 1583-1654.
    4. Alfred Nobel, Inventor, 1833-1896.
    5. Olof Palme, Politician, 1927-1986.
    6. Marcus Wallenberg, Banker, 1899-1982.
    7. Evert Taube, Poet and Composer, 1890-1976.
    8. Lars Magnus Eriksson, Entrepreneur, 1846-1926.
    9. Karl XIV Johan, King, 1763-1844.
    10. Carl Larsson, Artist, 1853-1919.
    11. Heliga Birgitta, Saint, 1303-1373.
    12. Johan August Gripenstedt, Entrepreneur, 1813-1874.
    13. Oden, Leader, 170-240.
    14. August Strindberg, Author, 1849-1912.
    15. Karl XI, King, 1655-1697
    16. Carl Michael Bellman, Composer, 1740-1795
    17. Anders Chydenius, Pastor, 1729-1803
    18. Ingvar Kamprad, Entrepreneur, 1926
    19. Ingmar Bergman, Director, 1918 – 2007
    20. Gustaf III, King, 1746-1792
    21. Carl von Linné, Botanist, 1707-1778
    22. Karl XII, King, 1682-1718
    23. Selma Lagerlöf, Author, 1858-1940
    24. Rutger Macklean, Reformer, 1742-1816
    25. Albert Bonnier, Publisher, 1820-1900
    26. Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General UN, 1905-1961
    27. Per Albin Hansson, Prime Minister, 1885-1946
    28. Ellen Key, Activist, 1849-1926
    29. Lennart Hyland, TV Host, 1919-1993
    30. Gustav IV Adolf, King, 1778-1837
    31. Assar Gabrielsson, Industrialist, 1891-1962
    32. Björn Borg, Tennis Player, 1956-
    33. John Ericsson, Inventor, 1803-1889
    34. Hans Alfredson, Entertainer, 1931-
    35. Tage Danielsson, Entertainer, 1928-1985
    36. Jonas Wenström, Inventor, 1855-1893
    37. Karl Staaf, Prime Minister, 1860-1915
    38. Vilhelm Moberg, Author, 1898-1973
    39. Erik Gustaf Geijer, Historian, 1783-1847
    40. Raoul Wallenberg, Diplomat, 1912-?
    41. Carl Olof Rosenius, Preacher, 1816-1868
    42. Christopher Polhem, Inventor, 1661-1751
    43. Olaus Petri, Reformer, 1493-1552
    44. Hjalmar Branting, Prime Minister, 1860-1925
    45. Gustav II Adolf, King, 1594-1632
    46. Fredrika Bremer, Author, 1801-1965
    47. Oscar I, King, 1799-1859
    48. Jan Stenbeck, Media Owner, 1942-2002
    49. Anna Maria Roos, Author, 1862-1938
    50. Stikkan Andersson, Founder of Record Label Polar, 1931-1997
    51. Ivar Kreuger, Financier, 1880-1932
    52. Carl Edvard Johansson, Inventor, 1864-1943
    53. Birger, Jarl, 1210-1266
    54. Urban Hiärne, Physician, 1641-1724
    55. Lennart Nilsson, Photographer, 1922-
    56. Olof Rudbeck, the older, Scientist, 1630-1702
    57. Greta Garbo, Actress, 1905-1990
    58. Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson, Rebel, 1390-1436
    59. Lars Johan Hierta, Newspaper publisher, 1801-1872
    60. Alice Tegnér, Composer, 1864-1943
    61. Carl Jonas Love Almqvist, Author, 1793-1866
    62. Gunnar Myrdal, Professor, 1898-1987
    63. Alva Myrdal, Politician, 1902-1986
    64. Carl Wilhelm Scheele, Chemist, 1742-1786
    65. Arvid Horn, Diplomat, 1664-1742
    66. Cajsa Warg, Cook, 1703-1769
    67. Anders Celsius, Scientist, 1791-1744
    68. Benny Andersson, Composer, 1946-
    69. Björn Ulvaeus, Composer, 1945-
    70. Carl Grimberg, Historian, 1875-1941
    71. Sven Hedin, Explorer, 1865-1952
    72. Jöns Jacob Berzelius, Chemist, 1779-1848
    73. Erik Johan Stagnelius, Poet, 1793-1823
    74. Gunnar Sträng, Minister of finance, 1906-1992
    75. Emanuel Swedenborg, Religious leader, 1688-1772
    76. Gustaf Fröding, Poet, 1860-1911
    77. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Soccer Player, 1981-
    78. Eva Ekeblad, Scientist, 1724-1786
    79. Carl-Adam Nycop, Editor-in-Chief, 1909-2006
    80. Bruno Liljefors, Artist, 1860-1939
    81. Jan Guillou, Journalist, 1944-
    82. Esaias Tegnér, Poet, 1782-1846
    83. Peter Wieselgren, Absolutist, 1800-1973
    84. Lars Norén, Playwright, 1944-
    85. Anita Ekberg, Actress, 1931-
    86. Carl af Forsell, Statistician, 1783-1848
    87. Karl Gerhard, Entertainer, 1891-1964
    88. Georg Stiernhielm, Polymath, 1598-1672
    89. August Palm, Agitator, 1849-1922
    90. Barbro Svensson, Entertainer, 1938-
    91. Viktor Balck, Sports leader, 1844-1928
    92. Kjell Olof Feldt, Minister of finance, 1931-
    93. Magnus Eriksson, King, 1316-1374
    94. Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop, 1866-1931
    95. Inga-Britt Ahlenius, Auditor, 1939-
    96. Gustaf de Laval, Inventor, 1845-1913
    97. Sven-Göran Eriksson, Soccer Coach, 1948-
    98. Elin Wägner, Author, 1882-1949
    99. Jan Carlzon, Executive, 1941-
    100.Kristina, Queen, 1626-1689

  • 4. Alfred Nobel, Inventor, 1833-1896. The Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator and armaments manufacturer put Sweden on the international map.