Stig Fredrik Strömholm (born 16 September 1931) is a Swedish former legal scholar, university leader, and academic administrator. After earning multiple law degrees in Sweden, the UK, and Germany, he began his career as a judicial clerk before moving into academia. Strömholm became professor of jurisprudence at Uppsala University in 1969, later holding the chair of civil law with international private law. He served as dean of the Faculty of Law (1973–1979), and after international appointments in London and Minnesota, he rose to vice chancellor of Uppsala University (1978–1989) and then chancellor (1989–1997). During his leadership, he also chaired the Swedish Academy's Vice-Chancellors' Conference (1992–1997) and the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (1995–1997).

Beyond his university posts, Strömholm played a central role in numerous academic and cultural organizations. He chaired Svensk Juristtidning, the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Munich, the Institute for Legal Research, and the Academica Foundation, among others. He also served on boards connected to the arts and culture, including the Opera Board and the Nordic Museum.

Upon his retirement in 1997, he was honored with a two-volume Festschrift recognizing his extensive contributions to legal scholarship and higher education.

Early life and education

Strömholm was born on 16 September 1931 in Boden, Sweden, the son of Major Fredrik Strömholm, and his wife Gerda (née Janson). He was the brother of diplomat Sten Strömholm and the half-brother of photographer Christer Strömholm. In 1934, when Strömholm was three years old, his father died by suicide, reportedly due to chronic headaches caused by a riding accident many years earlier.

Strömholm passed studentexamen in 1949 and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Uppsala University in 1952. He completed his reserve officer training in 1954, earned his Candidate of Law degree in 1957, and his Licentiate of Law degree in 1960. He obtained his Doctor of Law degree from Uppsala University in 1966. In 1959, he completed a Diploma in Comparative Legal Studies at Cambridge University and earned his Doctorate in Law from LMU Munich in 1964.

He was a professor of jurisprudence at Uppsala University from 1969 to 1982, then a professor of civil law with international private law from 1982 onward. He served as dean of the Faculty of Law from 1973 to 1979, honorary visiting professor at King's College London in 1977, and visiting professor at the University of Minnesota Law School in 1982. Strömholm was vice chancellor (prorektor) of Uppsala University from 1978 to 1989 and chancellor (rektor) from 1989 to 1997. He also chaired the Swedish Academy's Vice-Chancellors' Conference from 1992 to 1997 and led the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (Sveriges universitet- och högskoleförbund) from 1995 to 1997.

  • 50px Illis quorum, 12th size (1997)
  • 50px H. M. The King's Medal, 12th size gold (silver-gilt) medal worn around the neck on the Order of the Seraphim ribbon (1986)
  • 50px H. M. The King's Medal, 8th size gold (silver-gilt) medal worn on the chest suspended by the Order of the Seraphim ribbon (1981)
  • Ann-Kersti och Carl-Hakon Swensons Award (2005)
  • De Nio's Special Prize (2011)
  • 50x50px Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (19 August 1987)
  • 50px Pour le Mérite (civil class) (30 May 1989)
  • 50px Bavarian Order of Merit
  • 50px 2nd Class of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (8 September 1995)
  • 50px Gunnerus Medal (1997)
  • 50px Grand prix de la francophonie (1992)
  • Academia Europaea Erasmus Medal (2004)
  • Member of the German order Pour le Mérite (1988)
  • Honorary member of the Norrlands nation at Uppsala University (1969, inspector from 1978)
  • Honorary Doctor of Law, Jean Moulin University Lyon 3 (1980)