GYLLENBORG, GUSTAF FREDRIK, GREVE

(Count) born Nov. 25, 1731, Suinstad, stergtland, Swed. died March 30, 1808, Stockholm Swedish poet known for his satirical and reflective poetry. Although members of his family were prominent in political life, as a courtier he took no part in politics and attacked the weaknesses of modern society in the spirit of the French Romantic philosopher Rousseau in such poems as Verldsfraktaren (1762; The Misanthrope). A pessimism typical of the late 18th century is expressed in his most famous poem, Menniskans elnde (1762; Misery of Man). Gyllenborg wrote little of importance after 1763, devoting himself to a civil service career. Gyllenborg's poems were published in Vitterhetsarbeten af Creutz och Gyllenborg (1795); his memoirs, Mitt lefverne 17311775, in 1885.