The 1700th century was a time when interest in various forms of science was significant both in Sweden and in most other European countries. During the XNUMXth century, a number of academies were founded alongside the universities to promote science. While the universities were primarily devoted to classical education, the academies were devoted to the more practical sciences.
The Royal Academy of Sciences was founded in 1739, marking the beginning of an era when Swedish scientists became among the leaders in various disciplines in Europe. The Royal Academy of Sciences dealt with a number of issues with a military emphasis. For example, we can study essays from the Academy of Sciences from the 1740s that dealt with gunpowder, mortars, shipyards and the navy. When Admiral Augustin Ehrensvärd, who was president of the Academy of Sciences, resigned from his position in September 1743, he emphasized that it was “high time that the Academy thought about the business of war”. He particularly emphasized the importance of the mathematical sciences for the art of war. In the art of war, a more scientific approach had already taken hold during the 1600th century – primarily in artillery and fortification, in which the subjects of mathematics and physics were attributed crucial importance.
The predecessor of the Royal Academy of War Sciences, the Swedish Warman Society, was founded on 12 November 1796. The initiator was the then captain, later general, GW Tibell, who, together with some “Officers and Teachers serving at the Royal Academy of War in Carlberg”, formed the society. The aim was to create a forum for developing and disseminating knowledge about the sciences that were of importance for the development of the art of war within the army and to stimulate the officers to improve themselves in these matters. The society initially consisted of four departments, namely the tactical, artillery, fortification and mathematical departments. In 1804, a department for naval affairs was established within the society. Thus, its activities came to cover the entire armed forces.
On 2 May 1805, "Gustav IV Adolf pardoned the Society with the name of Its Academy of War Sciences". The Academy of War Sciences had a strong position in society at that time. This is evident from, among other things, that Duke Charles (later Charles XIII) in connection with the coronation of the state in 1809 in a letter to the academy requested faith and obedience from the academy and its members. Since its founding, HM the King has been the Academy's patron.
The Academy has played a varied role in the Swedish defence over the years. The development of the Society of Warfighters from its first meeting to the established position of the Academy of War Sciences includes many important events and circumstances. The first two decades were of crucial importance, as first the Society and then the Academy experienced two periods of crisis, partly around the turn of the century in 1800, and partly in connection with the war years of 1808-1809. Karl XIV Johan took a very great interest in the Academy and took a number of measures during his reign (1818-1844) to support and develop the Academy. The Academy's medals have since carried his image.
The Academy has been able to include among its members both military and civilian individuals with great influence on the development and administration of society. The civilian members have often been politicians and researchers and, in recent times, also representatives of industry and business. Many historically well-known people are found in the list of Academy members, as well as board members, secretaries, editors or debaters. Foreign members have also been elected to the Academy to varying degrees over the years.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Military Sciences has over the years provided a forum for the study, discussion and deliberation of issues of great interest to the defence and the country's security. The Academy has always been careful to convey information about developments within Sweden's defence.