Axel Oxenstierna

Axel Oxenstierna (1583–1654) was Sweden's Lord High Chancellor from 1612 to 1654 and architect of its modern state. He joined the Privy Council in 1609 and on taking office faced wars against Denmark, Poland-Lithuania and Russia, making peace with Denmark in 1613. As Gustavus Adolphus's chief minister he governed Livonia and Swedish-held Prussia, securing the Truce of Altmark in 1629.

After the king fell at Lützen in 1632, he led Sweden's war effort in Germany as head of Queen Christina's regency and framed the Instrument of Government of 1634. He also created Sweden's county administration, dying in office in 1654.