The New International Encyclopædia/Gyllenborg, Karl

GYLLENBORG,, , Count (1679-1746). A Swedish statesman and author. He was born at Stockholm, and after serving in the Polish War was sent to London as secretary of legation. In 1715 he was made Minister Plenipotentiary, and two years later was imprisoned for five months because of his participation in the plot to reinstate the House of Stuart. In 1723 he was appointed Councilor of State, and in 1738 Prime Minister. While in this office he founded the Hattparti or Hattar (&lsquo;Hat&rsquo; Party), which instigated the disastrous war with Russia (1741-43), resulting in the loss of the Province of Viborg. He was successively chancellor of the universities of Lund (1728) and Upsala (1739), was a patron of letters and art, and wrote several poems and the first Swedish comedy, Den svenska Sprätthöken (1740). His ''Letters. . . Relating'' to a Design to Raise a Rebellion on His Majesty's Dominions, to be Supported by a Force from Sweden, were published in French and English (1717).