History

During the 18th century the interest in sciences of all kind was very significant in Sweden, as well as in other European countries. Besides the universities a number of academies were founded to promote sciences. While the universitites took to the classical education, the academies concentrated on the more utilitarian sciences.

In 1739 the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was founded, and thereby started an epoch when Swedish scientists were among the leading in their respective disciplines in Europe. Within The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences even some military subjects were discussed. For instance there are essays from the 1740s on powder, mortar, ship-yard and fleet of warships. When Admiral Augustin Ehrensvärd who was President of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, left his office in September, 1743, he pointed out that the time was appropriate for concentrating on the military sciences. He stressed the importance of the mathematical sciences for warfare. As early as during the 17th century a more scientific way of viewing warfare had been popular, especially within the artillery and the fortification, whereby mathematics and physics were regarded significant.

The Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences was originally founded on November 12, 1796 under the name of "Svenska Krigsmanna Sällskapet" (The Swedish Military Association). The initiator was Captain, later General, G W Tibell, who along with some officers and teachers at the War Academy at Karlberg founded the association. Its aim was to stimulate scientific research in fields of military importance and to establish a forum for the further education of army officers through the dissemination of knowledge on the nature of war. In the beginning the association consisted of four departments, namely the Tactic, Artillery, Fortification and Mathematical departments. In 1804, however, a department for naval matters was created. Thereby the activities the association covered the entire Defence Forces.

On May 2, 1805, the Association was decreed status of a royal academy by King Gustavus IV Adolphus. The Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences had an important status in the society of that time. This is proved also by the fact that Duke Karl (later Karl XIII) in connection with the political revolution in 1809 asked for faith and obedience from the Academy and its members. Since the foundation of the Academy, the King of Sweden has been its protector.

The Academy has had different roles in the Swedish defence during its history. The development from association to Academy hosts many important events and happenings. The first two decades had crucial importance due to the two periods of crisis, first at the turn of the 19th century and also in connection to the war in 1808-1809. Karl XIV Johan paid extraordinary interest in the Academy and made during his reign (1818-1844) many efforts to support and develop the Academy. Since then his portrait is on the Academy's medals.

Among the Academy members have been military as well as civilian men and women with great influence on the society's development and administration. Many of the civilian members have been politicians, scientists and researchers and, lately, even representatives from the industry and economic life. Many historically well known persons appear in the list of Academy members, as Presidents, Secretaries, Editors or debaters. Even foreign members have been appointed during the years, although quite rarely during certain periods.

The Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences has during the years been a forum for studies and discussion of matters of great significance for the defence and security of the country. The Academy has always been guarded in the distribution of information on the development of the Swedish defence.