People - Nordstjernan

History’s 100 most important Swedes.

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.

The complete list:

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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5. Olof Palme, Politician, 1927-1986. The most important heritage from Palme is our picture of ourselves and our country as the conscience of the world. Equality with support of the public childcare system, reforms and student loans - we take them for granted today, but we wouldn't have them had it not been for Olof Palme. Palme gave Sweden a mighty voice in the world.

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