Gillis Bildt made a career in the military as an artillery officer, rising eventually to lieutenant general.

The competent artillery officer, the charming cavalier, the exemplary young man were combined in the persona of Bildt".

[8] A major issue for Bildt was campaigning in defence of the railways, particularly routes he considered of military and commercial value to Stockholm.

He was a strong supporter of Louis De Geer's 1863 electoral reform bill and the introduction of popular suffrage.

Finally, with two of the four estates on side and with a large public backing, he set about overcoming the House of Nobility's inevitable opposition to its own dissolution.

Given the popular support for the reform, Governor Bildt had troops ready to maintain order in the capital, in the event of the bill being blocked.

But the nervousness turned to rejoicing as the bill was accepted, finally receiving Royal assent on 22 January 1866 by King Karl XV.

Bildt also continued his work for social justice, speaking out in favour of extending citizenship to non-members of the Church of Sweden and giving married women legal competence over their own affairs.

[10][failed verification] His (re-)appointment in 1887 to the Upper House by the protectionist representatives on the Stockholm City Council was against the wishes of King Oscar II.

The king did not want a close friend of the royal family involved in party politics and opposing the incumbent pro free-trade government.

As Swedish ambassador in Germany 1874–1886, Bildt strengthened ties between Sweden and the new German Empire, negotiating bilateral agreements on matters such as post, telegraph, extradition and sailors.

[4] During his time in Germany Bildt witnessed the introduction by Otto von Bismarck of the agrarian protectionist system.

In Sweden during this period the Protectionist Party had been established, gaining ground in 1885–1886 due to downward price pressure on Swedish crops, especially barley.

Demands for duties on imported foodstuffs to benefit Swedish farmers were opposed by pro free-trade prime minister Robert Themptander.

In the interest of reconciliation, the King set Bildt the task of leading a gradual shift from the economically liberal politics of Louis De Geer towards the more protectionist system that was becoming increasingly popular throughout Europe.