born June 16, 1583, Fånö, near Uppsala, Swed.
died Aug. 28, 1654, Stockholm
Swedish statesman.
Born into a noble family, he became a member of the council of state and in 1612 was appointed chancellor by Gustav II Adolf . He worked with the king to stabilize administrative reforms. As a diplomat, he negotiated peace treaties with Denmark (1613) and Poland (1622). In the Thirty Years' War , he was appointed governor-general of Prussia (1626) and military commander in Germany (1631). He directed Swedish policy in Germany until 1636, when he returned to Sweden. As a regent during Queen Christina 's minority (1636–44), he effectively ruled the country.