GeneaLogies of Old Wealth. Inequalities, inheritance and social (im)mobility in Sweden, 1850-1950

The persistent global issue of wealth inequality continues to challenge researchers, with significant gaps remaining in our understanding of inter-generational wealth transmission and its role in widening economic disparities.

This project addresses these gaps by examining the inheritance and cross-generational wealth management within top wealthy Swedish families between 1850 and 1950.

Employing a novel approach that combines qualitative and quantitative methods, the project aims to uncover how wealthy families managed and transferred their fortunes across generations.

By juxtaposing individual, family, and society levels, the study offers comprehensive insights into the origins and perpetuation of inequalities.

In particular, it bridges the divide between existing research on individual wealth accumulation and broader explorations of inequality at the societal level by examine the dynamics of wealthy families.

Through empirical investigations and theoretical advancements, the GeneaLogies of Old Wealth (GLOW) project runs from 2025 to 2027 and delves into several aspects, including individual wealth accumulation, gender disparities, family strategies, and the societal impact of inheritance.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, positioning itself at the crossroads between economic, social, and legal history.

It involves two researchers with different and complementary profiles, who will work together in all phases of the project.