Augustin Ehrensvärd

Architect

1710 – 1772

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Who was Augustin Ehrensvärd?

Field marshal count Augustin Ehrensvärd was a Swedish military officer, military architect, artist, creator of the Sveaborg fortress and the Swedish archipelago fleet. He was born in Fullerö Castle, Barkarö and died in Saris, Virmo.

In 1747, he was chosen by king Frederick I of Sweden to design and construct a maritime fortress near Helsinki in Finland, then a part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Building the fortress of Sveaborg became a life's work for Ehrensvärd, who kept expanding the island fortress until his death in 1772. Ehrensvärd's design was a low-profile bastion-type fortress that would follow the natural contours of the islands and thus remain inconspicuous to enemy fleets. Many of the constructions in Sveaborg are considered to be architectural masterpieces. Augustin Ehrensvärd was also the commander of the Swedish Archipelago Fleet from 1756 to 1766, and from 1770, until his death in 1772.

In addition to architecture, Ehrensvärd's interests included painting, educational psychology and botany. Upon his death in 1772, Ehrensvärd was promoted to the rank of field marshal. He was also well respected by the Finnish people, who appreciated his efforts in the construction of Sveaborg, an important cultural and economic centre in 18th-century Finland. Ehrensvärd's burial monument in Sveaborg was designed by king Gustav III of Sweden himself.

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Born
Sep 25, 1710
Västerås Municipality
Also known as
  • Augustin Ehrensvard
Profession
Died
Oct 4, 1772
Mynämäki

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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