Henrik Klasson Fleming

Henrik Klasson Fleming was a Swedish nobleman and entrepreneur who wrote one of the first autobiographies in Swedish.

Born in Åkerholm, present-day Finland, Fleming was struggling in his youth with poverty as his father left him without any support. He found his way out of despondency by acting as army contractor supplying the army with goods through trade and leasing. Thus the wars and business speculations became the mainstay of his wealth. As a captain Fleming served in war campaigns of Gustavus Adolphus against Denmark and Russia. He is credited with successful annexation of Jämtland in 1644. For his military and diplomatic services, Fleming was appointed governor of the County of Viborg and Nyslott in 1617 and of Ingria in 1620. He died in 1650 in Stockholm, Sweden.