Per Brahe the Younger

Count Per Brahe the Younger
Portrait by David Beck, c. 1650
Lord High Steward of Sweden
In office 1641–1680
Preceded by	Gabriel Gustafsson Oxenstierna
Succeeded by	Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie
Governor-General of Finland
In office 1637–1640
Preceded by	Gabriel Bengtsson Oxenstierna
In office 1648–1654
Succeeded by	Gustav Evertsson Horn
Personal details
Born	(1602-02-18)18 February 1602 Rydboholm Castle, Uppland
Died	12 September 1680(1680-09-12) (aged 78) Bogesund Palace, Sweden
Residence(s)	Bogesund Palace, Visingsborg, Brahehus

Count Per Brahe the Younger (18 February 1602 – 12 September 1680)^[1] was a Swedish soldier, statesman, and author. He served as Privy Councillor from 1630, Lord High Steward from 1640, as well as Governor-General of Finland in 1637–1640 and 1648–1654.

Brahe fought in Prussia during the Polish War (1626–1629) and in Germany in 1630. However, his military activity later yielded to his political activity, and he held posts of Privy Councillor and Lord High Steward of Sweden. During the minority of Queen Christina (1632-1644) and after the death of King Charles X in 1660, he was one of the regents of Sweden.

During his time as Governor-General of Finland, he made large administrative reforms, introduced a postal system, improved and developed commerce and agriculture, and promoted education. He was the founder of the Royal Academy of Turku and the town of Raahe (Swedish: Brahestad), along with ten other new towns in Finland.