Erik Dahlbergh Count Erik Jönsson Dahlbergh ( 10 October 1625 – 16 January 1703 ) was a Swedish engineer , soldier , and field marshal , originally of peasant stock , he eventually rose to the level of nobility through his military competence . known for his works on the fortifications of the Swedish realm , he was called the " Vauban of Sweden " . Life . Erik Dahlbergh was born of peasant stock in Stockholm , Sweden , but rose to the level of titled nobility due to his military abilities . His early studies involved the science of fortification and as an engineer officer . Orphaned at an early age , Erik ' s studies qualified him as a scribe and in 1641 he found employment with Gert Rehnskiöld , the senior accountant for Pommern and Mecklenburg . During his six years he was taught the fundamentals in draughtsmanship and stood out for his ability to draw . While learning these skills , he also intensely studied mathematics , architecture , perspective and map drawing . In 1650 , the military command dispatched Dahlbergh to Frankfurt to recoup war indemnity awarded to Sweden following the end of the Thirty Years ' War and the Treaty of Westphalia . Dahlbergh contacted the publishing firm of Merian and provided topographical maps . In 1635 Matthäus Merian the Elder initiated the " Theatrum Europaeum " , a series of contemporary chronicles published until 1732 . Both works , the " Theatrum Europaeum " and the topographical prints , were continued following the death of Mattheus Merian in 1650 by his sons and stepsons . " He tried several attempts to make a pilgrimage to Palestine and Jerusalem , both by sea and land but studied art in Italy when news reached him of an oncoming war between Sweden and Poland - Lithuania . He saw his chances of making a career in warfare , he left the artist pen and took the sword . From Rome he rode all the way to Stettin in 23 days . In his military career , Dahlbergh saw service in Poland where he probably witnessed the fighting at the second battle of Warsaw and survived a plague which nearly killed him . As adjutant - general and engineering adviser to Charles X of Sweden , he had a great share in the famous crossing of the frozen Belts , and at the sieges of Copenhagen and Kronborg where he directed the engineers during the Northern Wars . In spite of his distinguished service , however , Dahlbergh remained an obscure lieutenant - colonel for many years . His patriotism , however , proved superior to the tempting offers . Charles II of England tried to induce him to enter the British service , when , in that age of professional soldiering , the offer was completely acceptable . His talents were eventually recognized and , in 1676 , he became director - general of fortifications for the Swedish crown . As director , Dahlbergh rendered distinguished service over the next twenty - five years in attack as in the Scanian War . In Helsingborg in 1677 , he was a key operative in the Great Northern War at Dunamünde , and in 1700 he was instrumental in the defence of the two sieges of Riga . His work in repairing the fortresses of his own country earned for him the title of the " Vauban of Sweden , " and he was also the founder of the Swedish engineer corps . He retired while in the rank of field marshal in 1702 and died the following year . In modern times , Erik Dahlbergh was best known for compiling the impressive collection of drawings called " Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna " , or " Ancient and Modern Sweden " , published 1660 - 1716 , and assisted Samuel Pufendorf in his " Histoire de Charles X Gustave " . He wrote a memoir of his life ( to be found in Svenska Bibliotek , 1757 ) and an account " Of the campaigns of Charles X " . ( ed . Lundblad , Stockholm , 1823 ) . The German influence reveals itself in his work ; adopting the Teutonic theme of glorification to Sweden ' s leaders , cities and peoples .