ARM FELT, GUSTAF a celebrated Swede, whose public life was characterized by striking vicissitudes of fortune, was the eldest son of baron Armfelt, and b. at Juva, in the government of Abo, on the 1st of April, 1757. Having, as an officer of the royal guard, displayed great activity and zeal in opposing the machinations of the nobles, who wera at that period disaffected towards Gustavus III., the latter appreciated the value of his services, and appointed him to a post in the service of the crown prince. During the war between Sweden and Russia (1788-90), in which he was commander of one of the three divisions of the Swedish army, he displayed remarkable courage and spirit, and advanced still higher in the good graces of the monarch. He defeated a Russian force at Summa, near Fredrikshamm; and as military representative of Gustavus, had the honor of concluding a peace at Verela on the 14th of Aug., 1790. On the 16th of Mar., 1792, Gustavus was assassinated. His wound, though mortal, did not instantly deprive !din of life, and he employed the brief interval that elapsed before his death in drawing up a codicil to his will, by which the regency was intrusted to the king's brother, Charles, duke of Surlermania, during the minority of Gustavus IV., A. being named governor of Stockholm, and member of the council appointed to advise with the regent. The duke of Sudermania, however, could not brook the idea of a check being placed upon his liberty of action, and found means to destroy the codicil, the conditions of which lie never intended to observe. A. soon became conscious that his influence was rapidly evaporating. He was rarely permitted to see the young king; and at last, after a secret interview with young Gustavus, departed as ambassador to Naples in July, 1792. While in Italy, he entered into correspondence with certain parties in Sweden for the purpose of overthrowing the regency, and inducing the states to proclaim Gustavus IV. of age.
The correspondence was discovered. A. lied to Poland, and afterwards to Russia. He was condemned, during his absence, for high treason, and stripped of his goods and titles, while one of his associates, the beautiful countess Itudensktifil, was subjected to the most brutal punishment, being publicly declared "infamous," exposed on a scaffold for some hours, and imprisoned in a house of correction for life. A. expressed his horror of such an atrocity in language sufficiently emphatic, yet, at a later period, he did not scruple to accept office under Charles, on his election to the throne. In 1799, Gustavus IV. received the crown at the age of eighteen, and A. was restored to all his honors. In 1805, lie was appointed governor-general of Finland; and in 1808 he com manded the Swedish army raised for the invasion of Norway; but his plans were so completely frustrated, that he was compelled to witness the invasion of Sweden by the successful Norwegians, and was in consequence recalled and dismissed by the king. In the following year a revolution took place, Gustavus was deposed, the duke of Suder mania elected in his place, and A. was appointed president of the military council. But shortly after, being implicated in the poisoning of the prince of Augustenburg, he was obliged to fly to Russia, where lie lived during the remainder of his life in high honor. The title of count was conferred on him, lie was made chancellor of the university of Abo, president of the board of Finnish affairs, and member of the Russian senate. He d. at Tzarskm Selo ou the 19th Aug., 1814.