20 Facts About Gillis Bildt

Baron Didrik Anders Gillis Bildt was a Swedish parliamentarian, military officer, and baron who served as the prime minister of Sweden from 1888 to 1889.

Gillis Bildt was born on 16 October 1820 in Gothenburg, Sweden, a son of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Fredrik Bildt and his wife Christina Elisabeth Froding.

Gillis Bildt made a career in the military as an artillery officer, rising eventually to lieutenant general.

Gillis Bildt passed out from the Royal War Academy in Stockholm in 1837 and was assigned to Gota Artillery Regiment.

Gillis Bildt completed his higher education in 1842 in Marieberg, where he had come to the attention of Crown Prince Oscar for his diligence and competence.

Gillis Bildt was a shareholder and board member in the company seeking to operate a railway between Stockholm and the Vestmanland mines.

Gillis Bildt was a Member of the Riksdag of the Estates and Riksdag from 1847 to 1874 and 1887 to 1894.

From 1867, when the Riksdag became bicameral, Gillis Bildt sat in the Upper House.

Gillis Bildt was a strong supporter of Louis De Geer's 1863 electoral reform bill and the introduction of popular suffrage.

Gillis Bildt was a skillful debater who recognized the legitimate arguments against the reform.

Gillis Bildt sought to build a consensus rather than engage in the politics of division.

Gillis Bildt was elected onto this committee with more votes than any other candidate.

Gillis Bildt continued his work for social justice, speaking out in favour of extending citizenship to non-members of the Church of Sweden and giving married women legal competence over their own affairs.

Gillis Bildt promised the king not to represent a political party and remained an independent conservative.

However Gillis Bildt did participate in meetings with the protectionist group in the House.

Gillis Bildt was appointed prime minister by King Oscar II on 6 February 1888.

Gillis Bildt's cabinet was a mix of ministers from the pro-free trade and pro-protectionist camps.

Gillis Bildt resigned on 12 October 1889, after 20 months in office.

Gillis Bildt died on 22 October 1894 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, aged 74.

The title Friherre Gillis Bildt was inherited by the elder of his two sons, Carl Nils Daniel Gillis Bildt.