Jacob Johan Anckarström
1762 - 1792

Captain Jacob Johan Anckarström was a Swedish soldier and the assassin of Swedish King Gustav III.

Anckarstrom was in the military from 1778 until 1783.

On 16 March 1792, king Gustav III was going to visit a masked ball at the royal opera. During dinner he received an anonymous letter containing a threat to his life. Gustav received many letters of this kind and didn't pay any particular attention.

At Stockholm's opera house Anckarström approached the king. He stood behind the king and greeted him in French, "Bonjour, beau masque" ("Good day, beautiful mask.") Then he shot him in the back.

Anckarstrom was arrested the next morning.

Gustav III died on March 29, 1792.

On April 16 Anckarström was sentenced. His right hand was to be cut off before decapitation. On April 27, 1792, the Swedes executed their king's assassin.

Anckarström's family changed their name to Löwenström.