Like his father, the young Erik first studied at Uppsala and in 1697 with a Royal scholarship undertook a three year long educational journey through Europe.

The academic world had grown in importance as had the sciences, and many notable people were found at the universities in Europe.

She was daughter of the Swedish clergyman Jesper Swedberg and sister of the scientist (and later mystic) Emanuel Swedenborg.

There is also evidence to suggest that he had contact with Johan Kemper a Kabbalist and Jewish convert to Christianity who also worked at the University of Uppsala.

This article contains content from the Owl Edition of Nordisk familjebok, a Swedish encyclopedia published between 1904 and 1926, now in the public domain.