Björn von der Esch

Carl Gösta Björn Joachim von der Esch (11 January 1930 – 10 March 2010) was a Swedish Christian democratic politician, member of parliament 1998–2006.

Early life and education von der Esch was born on 11 January 1930 in Essen, Germany, the son of German ambassador Hansjoachim von der Esch and his Swedish wife Marianne (née Sandstedt). His grandfather was the Prussian Lieutenant General (1862–1934).

von der Esch passed studentexamen in 1949 and completed his officer training at the Royal Swedish Naval Academy in 1952. He served as an officer in the Swedish Navy from 1952 and transferred to the reserve in 1958, later attaining the rank of lieutenant commander in 1963. He attended forestry and sawmill school in 1958 and agricultural college in 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963, a Master of Political Science in 1965, and a Doctorate in Economics from Uppsala University in 1973.

Awards and decorations