Famous Swedish Writers

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 1 
Britt Ekland
(Swedish Actress, Model and Singer)
Britt Ekland
5
Birthdate: October 6, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden

Britt Ekland is a Swedish actress, singer, and model. One of the leading actresses in Sweden during the 1960s and 1970s, Ekland also established herself as a sex symbol and achieved international prominence when she appeared as a Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun. Britt Ekland was also one of the most photographed actresses during the 1970s.

 2 
Stieg Larsson
(Swedish Writer and Activist Best Known for His Millennium Trilogy of Crime Novels)
Stieg Larsson
5
Birthdate: August 15, 1954
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Skelleftehamn, Sweden
Died: November 9, 2004

Stieg Larsson was a Swedish writer and journalist. He is best remembered for his Millennium trilogy of novels, which were adapted as three films in Sweden. After his sudden death, due to a heart attack, Stieg Larsson was posthumously honored with several awards, such as the Glass Key award, Galaxy British Book Award, and Anthony Award.

 3 
Astrid Lindgren
(Swedish Writer Known for Her Children's Books: ‘Pippi Longstocking’ and ‘The Six Bullerby Children’)
Astrid Lindgren
4
Birthdate: November 14, 1907
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Vimmerby, Sweden
Died: January 28, 2002

Astrid Lindgren was a Swedish writer remembered for authoring children's book series and children's fantasy novels. In 1967, the Astrid Lindgren Prize was established in her honor. Lindgren was honored with the Right Livelihood Award in 1994 for her work as a children's writer. In 2017, it was revealed that Lindgren is the 18th most translated author in the world. 

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 4 
August Strindberg
(Father of Modern Swedish Literature)
August Strindberg
8
Birthdate: January 22, 1849
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: May 14, 1912

August Strindberg was a Swedish playwright, painter, essayist, novelist, and poet. He wrote over 30 works of fiction and more than 60 plays in an illustrious career that spanned 40 years. Widely regarded as the father of modern Swedish literature, Strindberg is best remembered for his work The Red Room, which is considered the first modern Swedish novel.

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 5 
Svante Thunberg
4
Birthdate: June 10, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Boo, Sweden

Svante Thunberg is a Swedish actor, producer, and writer. He is married to opera singer Malena Ernman and has two daughters, Greta and Beata. Greta is a prominent climate activist, who first rose to worldwide prominence when she initiated the school strike for climate. Svante accompanies his daughter on her sailing expeditions to UN climate summits. 

 6 
Henning Mankell
(Swedish Crime Writer, Children's Author and Dramatist)
Henning Mankell
5
Birthdate: February 3, 1948
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: October 5, 2015

Henning Mankell was a Swedish dramatist, children's author, and crime writer. He is best reemembered for penning a series of mystery novels which featured the popular character, Inspector Kurt Wallander. Henning Mankell is also remembered for highlighting injustices in Sweden and social inequality issues through his plays and books. He was a recipient of many awards like the Gumshoe Award.

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 7 
Fredrik Backman
(Writer)
Fredrik Backman
3
Birthdate: June 2, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brännkyrka, Stockholm, Sweden

The author of the New York Times bestseller A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman has also been a columnist for the Swedish newspaper Helsingborgs Dagblad and the men's magazine Moore Magazine. His book Things My Son Needs to Know about the World was based on his parenting experiences.

 8 
Selma Lagerlöf
(First Woman to Win the Nobel Prize in Literature)
Selma Lagerlöf
3
Birthdate: November 20, 1858
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mårbacka, Värmland, Sweden
Died: March 16, 1940

Selma Lagerlöf was a Swedish teacher and author. In 1909, Lagerlöf became the first woman to receive the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature. In 1914, she became the first woman to be elected as a member by the Swedish Academy. In 1991, Selma Lagerlöf was depicted on a Swedish banknote, becoming the first woman to enjoy this honor, albiet posthumously.

 9 
Camilla Läckberg
(Swedish Crime Writer)
Camilla Läckberg
3
Birthdate: August 30, 1974
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Fjällbacka, Sweden

One of Sweden’s most successful crime authors, Camilla Lackberg is known for her iconic books such as The Stonecutter, The Golden Cage, and The Stranger. Her books were also adapted into TV series. Called The Rock Star of Nordic Noir, she is also a former economist and a co-owner of a jewelry business.

 10 
Jöns Jacob Berzelius
(Chemist, Non-fiction writer, University teacher)
Jöns Jacob Berzelius
3
Birthdate: August 20, 1779
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Östergötland
Died: August 7, 1848

Jöns Jacob Berzelius was a Swedish chemist who is often counted among the founders of modern chemistry alongside Robert Boyle, Antoine Lavoisier, and John Dalton. He is also referred to as the Father of Swedish Chemistry. Jöns Jacob Berzelius is also credited with making immense contributions to the field of stoichiometry. In 1836, he was honored with the Copley Medal.

 11 
David Lagercrantz
(Swedish Journalist and Author)
David Lagercrantz
3
Birthdate: September 4, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Solna, Sweden

David Lagercrantz is a Swedish author and journalist best known for writing internationally acclaimed books like I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović, The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye, and The Girl in the Spider’s Web. His biography of Zlatan Ibrahimović has been translated into over 30 languages and is widely regarded as the best footballer's autobiography of his generation.

 12 
Nelly Sachs
(German-Swedish Poet and Playwright, Known for His Play ‘Eli: Ein Mysterienspiel vom Leiden Israels')
Nelly Sachs
5
Birthdate: December 10, 1891
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Schöneberg, Berlin, Germany
Died: May 12, 1970

Nelly Leonie Sachs, internationally noted German-Swedish poet and dramatist, wrote conventional romantic poems until the rise of Nazism brought about a drastic change in her life. Forced to flee to Sweden, she began writing about the grief and yearnings of her fellow Jews, concurrently translating German works into Swedish and vice-versa. She won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1966.

 13 
Gunilla von Post
(Writer)
Gunilla von Post
3
Birthdate: July 10, 1932
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: October 14, 2011

Gunilla von Post was a Swedish aristocrat best remembered for her 1997 book Love, Jack, which revealed an intimate relationship with John F. Kennedy during the 1950s. In 2010, Gunilla von Post auctioned some of the letters penned by Kennedy to her.

 14 
Bror von Blixen-Finecke
(Swedish Nobleman, Writer and Professional Hunter)
Bror von Blixen-Finecke
3
Birthdate: July 25, 1886
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Näsbyholm Castle, Sweden
Died: March 4, 1946

Swedish author Bror von Blixen-Finecke was also a nobleman and a professional big-game hunter in Africa. His memoir, African Hunter, remains his best-known book. He died in a car accident after returning to Sweden. His life was portrayed in the movie Out of Africa, based on his wife Karen Blixen’s memoirs.

 15 
Eva Gabrielsson
(Swedish Author, Feminist, and Political Activist)
Eva Gabrielsson
3
Birthdate: November 17, 1953
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lövånger, Sweden

Swedish author, feminist, and political activist Eva Gabrielsson is also an architect who chiefly deals in house and office construction with sustainable architecture. She was a partner of Swedish author Stieg Larsson till his death. Apparently, they never married to keep their whereabouts a secret from extremists.

 16 
John Ajvide Lindqvist
(Swedish Writer of Horror Novels and Short Stories)
John Ajvide Lindqvist
3
Birthdate: December 2, 1968
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Blackeberg, Sweden

John Ajvide Lindqvist is a renowned Swedish author of horror fiction, known for his bestselling books such a Let the Right One In and Harbour. Interestingly, he was initially a conjurer and had then had a 12-year stint as a stand-up comedian. He has also written scripts for Swedish TV.

 17 
Taslima Nasrin
(Bangladeshi-Swedish Writer Known for Her Writing on Women’s Oppression and Criticism of Religion)
Taslima Nasrin
7
Birthdate: August 25, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi-Swedish writer, feminist, physician, activist, and secular humanist. An internationally recognized author, Nasrin is renowned for expressing feminist views and her criticisms of religions. Taslima Nasrin is a recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Sakharov Prize, Freethought Heroine Award, and Erwin Fischer Award.

 18 
Jonas Karlsson
(Actor, Author)
Jonas Karlsson
3
Birthdate: March 11, 1971
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Salem, Sweden

Hailed as one the most popular Swedish actors, known for his success both on stage and screen, Jonas Karlsson first took up the pen to write a play. Enthused by the praise he received from the critics and audiences alike, he began writing fictions, starting with a collection of stories before publishing several novels like The Perfect Friend, Invoice etc.  

 19 
Tomas Tranströmer
(Swedish Poet, Psychologist ,Translator and Winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Tomas Tranströmer
2
Birthdate: April 15, 1931
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: March 26, 2015

Nobel Prize-winning Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer was raised by his mother after his parents split. He initially worked as a psychologist. Known for books such as 17 dikter, he specialized in modernist imagery and metaphors. A skilled pianist, he played with his left hand after his right side was paralyzed.

 20 
Ingrid von Rosen
(Former diarist who was married to Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman in the latter half of her life)
Ingrid von Rosen
3
Birthdate: January 17, 1930
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: May 20, 1995

Ingrid von Rosen was a Swedish diarist best remembered for her marriage with popular film director Ingmar Bergman. Ingrid von Rosen's diary, which is a part of Ingmar Bergman's biographical work Three diaries, revealed many secrets about their relationship and children.

 21 
Leif G. W. Persson
(Criminologist, Writer)
Leif G. W. Persson
3
Birthdate: March 12, 1945
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Stockholm
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 22 
Hans Rosenfeldt
(Screenwriter)
Hans Rosenfeldt
3
Birthdate: July 13, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Borås, Sweden

Before venturing into a writing career, Hans Rosenfeldt had been a sea lion keeper, a teacher, a driver, and an actor. Now known for creating series such as The Bridge and Marcella, he has also co-written several crime novels, such as The Secret, with his friend and co-author Michael Hjorth.

 23 
Lena Anderson
(Illustrator, Writer)
Lena Anderson
3
Birthdate: May 27, 1939
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden

Internationally renowned children’s book author and illustrator Lena Anderson began working in the publishing industry at age 16 and first gained fame with her book Linnea in Monet's Garden, which was one of her many collaborations with author Christina Björk. She is known for creating her much-loved character Maja.

 24 
Signe Hasso
(Actress)
Signe Hasso
2
Birthdate: August 15, 1915
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: June 7, 2002
 25 
Jonas Jonasson
(Journalist, Writer)
Jonas Jonasson
4
Birthdate: July 6, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Växjö, Sweden

Swedish author Jonas Jonasson is best known for his bestselling comic novel The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. He had a successful career as a journalist and even owned a media company, but later sold all his belongings and settled near Lake Lugano, focusing on his writing career.

 26 
Gui Minhai
(Author of many books related to Chinese politics and Chinese political figures)
Gui Minhai
0
Birthdate: May 5, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ningbo, China
 27 
Håkan Nesser
(Swedish Author and Teacher)
Håkan Nesser
2
Birthdate: February 21, 1950
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kumla, Sweden

Håkan Nesser is a Swedish screenwriter, author, and former school teacher. He is best known for his crime novels about a fictional retired commissioner named Van Veeteren. These novels have been translated into many European languages and have achieved international fame. 

 28 
Linda Bostrom Knausgard
(Award-Winning Swedish Swedish Author and Poet)
Linda Bostrom Knausgard
2
Birthdate: October 15, 1972
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Sweden

Swedish poet and author Linda Bostrom Knausgard is known for her novels Helioskatastrofen and the August Prize-winning Välkommen til Amerika, or Welcome to America. She is also the former wife of Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgård and the daughter of actor Ingrid Boström.

 29 
Sven Hedin
(Swedish Geographer, Topographer and Explorer Who Published Books About His Travels All Over Asia and the Middle East)
Sven Hedin
3
Birthdate: February 19, 1865
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: November 26, 1952

Sven Hedin was a Swedish topographer, geographer, photographer, explorer, illustrator, and travel writer. He is best known for making four expeditions to Central Asia. He later shared his experience in a book titled From Pole to Pole. A respected explorer, Hedin was honored with several prestigious awards and medals during his lifetime.

 30 
Asa Larsson
(Writer)
Asa Larsson
2
Birthdate: June 28, 1966
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Uppsala, Sweden
 31 
Sven Wollter
(Actor)
Sven Wollter
2
Birthdate: January 11, 1934
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Gothenburg, Sweden
Died: November 10, 2020

 Hailed as one of the most celebrated Swedish actors, Sven Wollter was also an influential political activist, working for the Swedish communist party since his youth. Beginning his career on the stage, he debuted on screen as Gusten in Hemsöborna, gaining instant fame for it, continuing with his activism as well as acting till the very end.

 32 
Peter Weiss
(German-Born Swedish Author, Painter, and Filmmaker)
Peter Weiss
2
Birthdate: November 8, 1916
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Nowawes, Brandenburg, Germany
Died: May 10, 1982

German-born novelist and playwright Peter Weiss was forced to move to England, Switzerland, and Czechoslovakia, to avoid Nazi persecution, and eventually moved to Sweden and took up Swedish citizenship. Initially a painter and photographer, he later turned to filmmaking. His best-known works include the play The Investigation and the novel The Aesthetics of Resistance.

 33 
Pär Lagerkvist
(Swedish Author Who Won the 1951 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Pär Lagerkvist
2
Birthdate: May 23, 1891
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Växjö, Sweden
Died: July 11, 1974

Nobel Prize-winning Swedish author Pär Lagerkvist is remembered for his bestselling novels The Dwarf and Barabbas. He mostly used religious figures to examine the question of good and evil. One of his prose novellas, The Hangman, was later adapted for the stage. He also chaired the Swedish Academy.

 34 
Jan Guillou
(French-Swedish Author and Journalist)
Jan Guillou
3
Birthdate: January 17, 1944
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Södertälje, Sweden

A French citizen by birth, but born and raised in Sweden, it took Jan Guillou thirty years to gain Swedish citizenship. Expelled from school for bad behavior, he overcame his shortcomings to become an award-winning journalist and author, hugging limelight for exposing Swedish secret intelligence agency. Currently owner of a large publishing house, he remains active as a column writer.

 35 
Harry Martinson
(Swedish Writer and Poet Who Won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1974)
Harry Martinson
2
Birthdate: May 6, 1904
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Jämshög, Sweden
Died: February 11, 1978

Nobel Prize-winning Swedish author Harry Martinson grew up in foster homes and ran away at 16 to become a sailor. He was the first working-class author to be named to the Swedish Academy. His best-known works include the poetry collection Trade Wind and the novel The Road.

 36 
Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Sodermanland
(Writer)
Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Sodermanland
2
Birthdate: June 17, 1884
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tullgarn Palace, Trosa, Sweden
Died: June 5, 1965
 37 
Amanda Ooms
(Actress, Writer)
Amanda Ooms
2
Birthdate: September 5, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kalmar, Sweden

Swedish-born Dutch actor Amanda Ooms is best known for her appearance in the Swedish TV show Stjärnorna på slottet. She was also seen in The Expendables 2 and has been part of countless Swedish shows and movies. An author, too, she has penned books such as Tåla mod.

 38 
Olaus Magnus
(Swedish Writer and Archbishop of Uppsala)
Olaus Magnus
2
Birthdate: 1490
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Skänninge, Sweden
Died: August 1, 1557

Officially the Archbishop of Uppsala, Olaus Magnus is remembered more as an established author and cartographer. Born Olof Månsson in southern Sweden, he spent the greater part of his life in exile, leaving behind several monumental works on Nordic countries including the History of the Northern People and Carta Marina, a map that is treasured even by modern oceanographers

 39 
Jan Arnald
(Writer, Journalist)
Jan Arnald
2
Birthdate: January 11, 1963
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sollentuna Municipality
 40 
Maj Sjowall
(Writer)
Maj Sjowall
2
Birthdate: September 25, 1935
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: April 29, 2020
 41 
Lukas Moodysson
(Film director,Novelist)
Lukas Moodysson
2
Birthdate: January 17, 1969
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lund, Sweden
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 42 
Cornelis Vreeswijk
(One of the Most Successful and Influential Swedish Troubadours of All Time)
Cornelis Vreeswijk
0
Birthdate: August 8, 1937
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: IJmuiden, Netherlands
Died: November 12, 1987

Cornelis Vreeswijk was a Dutch-born Swedish actor, singer-songwriter, and poet. He is often counted among the most successful and influential Swedish troubadours of all time. Cornelis Vreeswijk's life and career inspired the 2010 Swedish drama film, Cornelis, which was directed by Amir Chamdin.

 43 
Karin Boye
(Considered as One of the Leading Poets of Swedish Modernism)
Karin Boye
2
Birthdate: October 26, 1900
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gothenburg, Sweden
Died: April 24, 1941

Apart from being a famous poet in Sweden, Karin Boye also gained international fame with her sci-fi novel Kallocain. She was one of the chief figures of Swedish modern poetry and of the Clarté Socialist movement. After separating from her economist husband, Leif Björk, she had 2 lesbian relationships. She died by suicide.

 44 
Stig Larsson
(Swedish Writer, Director and Actor)
Stig Larsson
2
Birthdate: July 20, 1955
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Skellefteå, Sweden
 45 
Ellen Key
(Swedish Difference Feminist Writer)
Ellen Key
2
Birthdate: December 11, 1849
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sundsholm, Sweden
Died: April 25, 1926

Mostly educated at home by her mother and her governess, Ellen Key grew up to be a well-known difference feminist author, concurrently playing important role in the Modern Breakthrough movement. Also a suffragist, she wrote on varied subjects including family life, ethics and education, advocating child centric teaching as well as parenting, inspiring many authors and educators including Maria Montessori.

 46 
Israel Shamir
(Journalist, Writer, known for promoting antisemitis and Holocaust denial)
Israel Shamir
0
Birthdate: June 11, 1947
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Novosibirsk, Russia
 47 
Evert Taube
(One of Sweden's Most Respected Musicians and the Foremost Troubadour of the Swedish Ballad Tradition in 20th Century)
Evert Taube
2
Birthdate: March 12, 1890
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Gothenburg, Sweden
Died: January 31, 1976

While Evert Taube was initially a sailor, he also worked as a railroad worker, a tram conductor, and a journalist. He later made a successful career as a singer and soared to fame with tracks such as Calle Schewens Vals. He is now regarded as one of the best Swedish troubadours.

 48 
Thomas Karlsson
(Writer)
Thomas Karlsson
2
Birthdate: 1972 AD
Birthplace: Sweden
 49 
Sigge Eklund
(Writer)
Sigge Eklund
2
Birthdate: April 21, 1974
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
 50 
Clara Henry
(Actress)
Clara Henry
2
Birthdate: April 9, 1994
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Gökskulla, Landvetter, Sweden
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)