Eugen Hemberg


Eugen Peter Alexander Hemberg was a Swedish forester, author, and hunter.

Education and career

Hemberg graduated with a degree in forestry from the Swedish Forestry Institute in 1869. After graduation, he began making long trips to Russia, Finland, Poland, Germany, and the Krkonose Mountains, where he explored and documented the local forestry and hunting. Upon Hemberg's return to Sweden in 1874, he began working in forestry management for the Swedish government in Kalix and Arjeplog, until 1878. Towards the end of the 19th century, he returned to Russia to continue documenting its hunting and forestry practices. In 1899, he was promoted to "The State's Forest Engineer" in Ystad and finally to 'head forester' in Kronoberg County, a role he held for over 15 years, 1904–1920.
Hemberg published several important books from his travels, including: Jakt- och turistskildringar från tsarernas land, Jaktbara däggdjurs gångarter och spår, Från Kola och Ural. Furthermore, he wrote the following historical fiction: Stenåldershorden, and Varjagerna. Hemberg also published articles in the Russian crown's yearly forestry publication, Forets d'Oural.
Hemberg was a passionate hunter, and at age 36 he was made a member of the Swedish Royal Hunting Club after a meeting with Oscar I, who spontaneously decided to surpass the voting procedures normally required for membership. He was also a guest in the Russian Empire's Hunting Club.
In 1896, August Strindberg visited Ystad, and through Dr Anders Eliasson, Hemberg and Strindberg met and developed a friendship over their mutual interest in nature.

Personal life

Hemberg was born on 9 November 1845 in Ystad, and died on 14 March 1946 in Växjö, four months after his 100th birthday. He was the son of the estate owner Fritz Eugen Hemberg and Clara Wilhelmina Åkerblom, and the grandson of Jöns Peter Hemberg. Upon his father's death he inherited Smedstorp Castle.
Hemberg married Agnes Mathilda Lundgren, who was the daughter of the alderman John Robert Lundgren. Together they had three sons, Robert, Jan, and Arnulf. Upon the death of Agnes Mathilda, Hemberg remarried, Elma, and had a daughter, Edit.