DAHLBERGH, ERIC, COUNT

(Greve) born Oct. 10, 1625, Stockholm, Sweden died Jan. 16, 1703, Stockholm Swedish soldier, civil servant, and graphic artist who served with distinction in the Swedish war against Denmark (167579) and the Great Northern War (170021) and directed fortifications as part of the military rebuilding program of King Charles XI. After serving as an engineer (165557) in Sweden's Polish campaign, Dahlbergh returned to fight in the war of 165758 against Denmark. His diary, which gives a useful account of the war, contains a questionable claim that he played a crucial role in the Swedish victory. After becoming a colonel and quartermaster in 1674, he played an important part in the Swedish war of 167579 against Denmark. After 1680 Dahlbergh was responsible for the construction and rebuilding of many fortresses. Named privy councillor, count, and field marshal (1693) and governor-general of Livonia (1696), Dahlbergh directed the successful defense of Riga against a Saxon attack at the outbreak of the Great Northern War in 1700. He returned to Sweden two years later. As a draftsman, he is best known for his illustrations to Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna (Sweden Ancient and Modern), which was published posthumously in 1717.