Axel Oxenstierna
Count Axel Oxenstierna | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt | |
| Lord High Chancellor of Sweden | |
| In office 1612–1654 | |
| Preceded by | Svante Turesson Bielke |
| Succeeded by | Erik Oxenstierna |
| Monarchs | |
| Governor-General of Riga | |
| In office 1622–1626 | |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | ? |
| Governor-General of Prussia | |
| In office 1626–1631 | |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 June 1583 Fånö, Sweden |
| Died | 28 August 1654 (aged 71) Stockholm, Sweden |
| Spouse | Anna Åkesdotter Bååt |
| Children | 13, including Johan |
| Occupation | Statesman |
| Signature | |
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Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna (Swedish: [ˈǎksɛl ˈʊ̂ksɛnˌɧæːɳa] ⓘ; 1583–1654) was a Swedish statesman and Count of Södermöre. He became a member of the Swedish Privy Council in 1609 and served as Lord High Chancellor of Sweden from 1612 until his death. He was a confidant of King Gustavus Adolphus and then Queen Christina, for whom he was at first regent.
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 is also credited for having laid the foundations of the modern central administrative structure of the State, including the creation of counties (Swedish: län).