[1] Edler and Hertz shared the 1977 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for this achievement.

[2][3] Edler was born on 17 March 1911 in Burlöv, Malmöhus County, Sweden.

His parents were Carl and Sophia Edler and primary school teachers.

Edler graduated from high school, Hegre Allmanna Laroverket, in 1930.

Edler's older sister was a dentist and he initially intended to pursue a career in this field.