Oxenstierna, Axel, greve, 1583-1654

Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna (Swedish: [ˈǎksɛl ˈʊ̂ksɛnˌɧæːɳa] ; 1583–1654) was a Swedish statesman and Count of Södermöre. He became a member of the Swedish Privy Council in 1609 and served as Lord High Chancellor of Sweden from 1612 until his death. He was a confidant of King Gustavus Adolphus and then Queen Christina, for whom he was at first regent. Oxenstierna is widely considered one of the most influential people in Swedish history. He played an important role during the Thirty Years' War and was appointed Governor-General of occupied Prussia. He is credited for having laid the foundations of the Swedish model of gouvernmental authority, with a large number of civil servants not politically appointed but appointed because of their merits. Oxenstierna is also credited for the modern central administrative structure of the State, including the creation of counties (Swedish: län).