Gustaf von Düben

Gustaf von Düben
Inspector of the Karolinska Institute
In office
1860–1871
PrecedingMagnus Huss
Preceded bySten Stenberg
Personal details
Born(1822-05-25)May 25, 1822
Sweden
DiedJuly 14, 1892(1892-07-14) (aged 70)
Vårdinge, Sweden
SpouseLotten von Bahr
RelationsDüben family
ParentGustaf Henrik von Düben
EducationLund University
OccupationPhysician

Gustaf Johan Wilhelm von Düben (May 25, 1822 – July 14, 1892) was a Swedish physician.

Early life

Gustaf von Düben was born in Södermanland to Gustaf Henrik von Düben.

Career

Düben served as the inspector of the Karolinska Institute from 1860 to 1871, while also holding a professorship in anatomy and physiology.[1]

In 1868, Gustaf von Düben, began to compile a catalogue of Sámi skulls. It was illustrated with photographs taken by his spouse, Lotten von Bahr,[2] who was a pioneering documentary photographer.[3]

Gustaf von Düben is primarily remembered for his major work on the Sámi people, Om Lappland och lapparne, företrädesvis de svenske, which was published in 1873. His interest in the Sámi people was sparked when, as a professor at the Karolinska Institute, he came into contact with the large collection of Sámi skulls kept in the institute's anatomical museum.

Personal life

Gustaf von Düben was the last member of the now-dissolved branch of the Düben family, which descended from Gustaf Düben (1659–1726) (No. 135). This is a different noble branch from the one that still survives (No. 139), which is also officially introduced (or registered/listed) at the House of Nobility in Stockholm.[4][5]

Düben's wife, Lotten, was the daughter of Robert von Bahr and Eva Carolina Åkerhielm af Margretelund.

References

  1. ^ "Gustaf von Düben". www.ne.se. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  2. ^ Gustavsson, Agneta (October 25, 2005). "Lotten von Düben, okänd fotopionjär i kranieforskningens tjänst". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  3. ^ Kjellberg, Erik (2024). Befrielse genom kunskap: Knut Kjellberg. Den karismatiske folkbildaren och hans värld (in Swedish). ISBN 978-91-8097-406-6.
  4. ^ "Von Düben nr 135". Adelsvapen-Wiki (in Swedish). Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  5. ^ "Utdöd friherrlig ätt". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). July 18, 1892. Retrieved October 20, 2025.