Per Abraham Örnsköld

Per Abraham Örnsköld (November 18, 1720 – April 16, 1791) was a Swedish count.

In 1762 he was appointed county governor of the vast Västernorrland County, which at that time consisted of the provinces Medelpad, Ångermanland and Jämtland.

Örnsköld realized the possibilities of the area, and often travelled through it, by foot or with a carriage. He used his knowledge about agriculture and city planning to found new towns when old towns were overcrowded, and he helped the farmers trench dikes, which they had previously not had faith in. His main goal was to improve the agriculture.

He introduced the potato plant, and the flax, which quickly became popular; he made sure that stones were removed from fields; he organized maps of the areas, opened pharmacies, and many other things to help the inhabitants.

In the Riksdag council in 1769, some of his enemies had taken offense at his self-decided reforms, claiming he made them to glorify himself. They also accused him being involved with embezzlement. Indeed Örnsköld had made several drastic reforms, sometimes arbitrary. But partly, his accusors also acted with political motives, and with a certain jelousy. Örnsköld did not get punished, but was instead transferred to govern Nyköping County.

He vigorously initiated reforms in Nyköping County. In 1771 he was again accused of unlawful actions, but seems to have escaped unharmed.

Västernorrland County has honoured his memory with various publications. The town Örnsköldsvik was also named after him when it was founded in 1842.

ee also

*List of Västernorrland Governors

References

* [http://runeberg.org/nfcn/0102.html article "Örnsköld, Per Abraham"] from Nordisk Familjebok