Erik Dahlbergh was born in
Stockholm, Sweden. His early studies involved the science of fortification. Orphaned at an early age, Dahlbergh's studies qualified him as a
scribe and in 1641 he found employment in Hamburg with Gerdt Rehnskiöld (1610−1658), senior accountant for
Pommern and
Mecklenburg. Over a six year period, he was taught the fundamentals in
draughtsmanship. While learning these skills, he also studied mathematics, architecture, perspective and map drawing. In 1650, the military command dispatched Dahlbergh to
Frankfurt to recoup war
indemnity awarded to Sweden following the
Treaty of Westphalia. Dahlbergh also contacted the publishing firm of
Merian and provided topographical maps. While studying art in Italy, news reached him of a coming war between Sweden and Poland-Lithuania and he saw the potential for a military career. In his military career, Dahlbergh saw service in
Poland as
adjutant-general and engineering adviser to
Charles X of Sweden. He participated in
March across the Belts and at the sieges of
Copenhagen and
Kronborg where he directed the engineers during the
Northern Wars. In spite of his distinguished service, Dahlbergh remained a lieutenant-colonel for many years. His talents were later recognized and in 1674, he became Quartermaster General and the head of the
Swedish Fortification Corps. As director, Dahlbergh rendered distinguished service over the next twenty-five years. At
Helsingborg in 1677, he was a key operative in the
Great Northern War at
Dunamünde, and in 1700 he was instrumental in the defense of the
two sieges of Riga. His work in repairing the fortresses of his own country earned for him the title of the "
Vauban of Sweden". He was also the founder of the Swedish engineer corps. He retired while in the rank of field marshal in 1702 and died the following year. == Legacy ==