Stefan Anderson

Knut Stefan Anderson (born December 26, 1878, Enköping, Sweden, died May 8, 1966, Ludvika) was a Swedish industrialist, journalist and master craftsman clockmaker/watchmaker decorated with badges of chivalric orders by the Kings of Sweden, Denmark and Norway and the President of Finland.[1] He was the son of August T. Anderson and Hildegard von Reis and began to learn watchmaking in 1892 at age 13 in Norrköping.[2]

Anderson in a formal birthday portrait in 1958

From 1910 to 1953 he wrote regular articles in trade papers and was also their editor,[3] often using the pseudonym Stander.[4]

Anderson was instrumental in organizing watchmakers and craftsmen into permanent trade organizations in Scandinavia and Germany, which he then led as CEO in terms of service lasting for decades.[3] He is considered by some the most important industrial organizer in his field in the history of his country[5] and in 1971 had a watchmaker's college named for him in Borensberg.[3]

Ludvika Town Hall has a clock designed and installed by Anderson in its tower since the building was dedicated in 1938 (mechanism replaced in 2004).[6]

The well-known quality classification Stjärnurmakarna for Swedish watchmakers and merchants was originally registered and protected by Anderson, who also in 1944 created a specially designed insurance policy for them, and since 1952 a Swedish gold medal for contributions to watchmaking bears Anderson's likeness and name.[3]

Anderson married Ragnhild Sandberg of Ludvika in 1907. Of their five children one son was Swedish senator Stig Stefanson, a daughter was singer Birgit Ridderstedt and a grandson is photographer Mattias Klum.[7]