Gunnar Heckscher | |
|---|---|
 Heckscher in 1959 | |
| Born | Gunnar Edvard Heckscher 8 July 1909 Djursholm, Sweden |
| Died | 24 November 1987 (aged 78) Uppsala, Sweden |
| Alma mater | Uppsala University |
| Occupation(s) | Political scientist, diplomat |
| Years active | 1941–1975 |
| Spouse |
Anna Vickhoff
(m. 1934; died 1976) |
| Children | 5, including Sten Heckscher |
Gunnar Edvard Heckscher (8 July 1909 – 24 November 1987) was a prominent Swedish political scientist, academic, and conservative politician. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in 1934 and soon became a docent in political science at Uppsala University. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he lectured in political science at both Uppsala University and Stockholm University College. He later held significant roles at the Stockholm School of Social Work, where he became rector in 1945 and professor of political science by 1948. In 1961, Heckscher became chairman of the National Organization of the Swedish Conservative Party, serving until 1965, and was a member of Sweden's Lower House of the Riksdag, representing the Right Party, where he advocated for Sweden's membership in the European Community.
Heckscher also had a distinguished diplomatic career, serving as Sweden's ambassador in New Delhi (1965–1970), Tokyo (1970–1975), and as a delegate to the United Nations in 1975. Throughout his career, he held various international roles, including vice-chair of the International Political Science Association and membership on the Council of Europe's Consultative Assembly, where he chaired the Economic Committee. Additionally, he played key roles in several governmental committees, focusing on psychological defence, public administration, and constitutional reform.