Gillis Bildt

Baron Didrik Anders Gillis Bildt (16 October 1820 – 22 October 1894) was a Swedish parliamentarian, military officer, baron and prime minister 1888–1889.

Family

Gillis Bildt was born in Gothenburg in 1820, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Fredrik Bildt and Christina Elisabeth Fröding. His father died 7 years later in 1827. His mother died in 1858.

In 1848 Gillis married Lucile Rosalie Dufva. They had three children: Adéle Elisabeth Bildt (1849–1914), Carl Nils Daniel Bildt (1850–1931), Knut Gillis Bildt (1854–1927).

His great-great-grandson Carl Bildt (b. 1949) also became Prime Minister of Sweden (1991), later High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995). Carl Bildt is descended from Gillis Bildt via younger son Knut Gillis Bildt (1854–1927).

Career

Military officer

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

He passed out from Military Academy Karlberg in Stockholm in 1837 and joined the 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.