Military officer Gillis Bildt made a career in the military as an
artillery officer, rising eventually to lieutenant general. He passed out from the
Royal War Academy in Stockholm in 1837 and was assigned to
Göta Artillery Regiment. He completed his higher education in 1842 in Marieberg, where he had come to the attention of
Crown Prince Oscar (later
King Oscar I) for his diligence and competence. After
graduation he worked as a mathematics tutor for several years, as well as continuing his military career and entering the
Riksdag in 1847. "Bildt was not a member of the wealthy or the upper
nobility”, chronicles the writer
Harald Wieselgren. "His personality alone gave him a lever up in the world. The competent artillery officer, the charming cavalier, the exemplary young man were combined in the persona of Bildt". A major issue for Bildt was campaigning in defence of the railways, particularly routes he considered of military and commercial value to
Stockholm. He garnered support throughout the city – in the Riksdag,
City Council,
stock exchange and among the citizens. He was also a
shareholder and
board member in the company seeking to operate a railway between Stockholm and the Vestmanland mines. Agriculture was another subject close to his heart. In 1850 he had called it "our country's mightiest interest". More diplomatic was his statement in 1869: (
related term:
Prussian Junkers). Bildt spoke out on social policy issues. One was the development of health care services. Another concerned the inadequate schooling for women. "It is an established fact", he declared in a speech in 1859, "that the development of our nation depends on the education of women". His (re-)appointment in 1887 to the Upper House by the protectionist representatives on the Stockholm City Council was against the wishes of
King Oscar II. The king did not want a close friend of the
royal family involved in party politics and opposing the
incumbent pro free-trade government. Bildt promised the king not to represent a political party and remained an independent conservative. However Bildt did participate in meetings with the
protectionist group in the House. Bildt himself was
moderately protectionist.
Ambassador As Swedish ambassador in Germany 1874–1886, Bildt strengthened ties between Sweden and the new
German Empire, negotiating
bilateral agreements on matters such as
post,
telegraph,
extradition and
sailors. Bildt's achievements during his
rise to the premiership stand out more than his time at the top. After his years abroad, the aging Bildt was considered out of touch with the political momentum of the time. Bildt resigned on 12 October 1889, after 20 months in office. The reasons for his resignation are said to be: • His protectionist system had been established. ==See also==