BESKOW, BERNHARD VON, BARON Swedish dramatist and historian, son of a Stockholm merchant, was born on April 19, 1796. He held high appointments at court and was, from 1834 onwards, perpetual secretary of the Swedish academy, using his great influence with tact and generosity. His poetry is over-decorated, and his plays are grandiose historical poems in dramatic form. Among them are "Erik XIV.," 2 parts (1826) ; and four pieces collected (1836-38) as Dramatiska Studier, the most famous of which is the tragedy of "Thorkel Knutsson." His works include many academical memoirs, volumes of poems, philosophy, and a valuable historical study, Om Gustav den Tredje seisom konung och menniska (5 vols. 1860-69, "Gus tavus III. as king and man"), printed in the transactions of the Swedish academy (vols. 32, 34, 37, 44). He died on Oct. 17, 1868.
See also a notice by C. D. of Wirsen in his Lefnadsteckningar (Stock holm, 19o1) .