This project aims to use two biographies to chronicle the Söderberg family’s journey from entrepreneurship to philanthropy during the late 19th century and much of the 20th century. The project includes research, cataloging, and digitization of archival material located in a variety of places, as well as the creation of a private family history website to serve as a resource for future research and knowledge transfer. Two biographical volumes, published by Förlaget Näringslivshistoria, will be produced.

This project builds upon an ongoing archival and book project concerning the life and work of Pelle Söderberg (1836–1881). The aim is to expand this body of knowledge with a biography of his son, the entrepreneur and consul general Olof Söderberg (1872–1931). We view this project as an important undertaking to document and analyze some of the key figures in a crucial phase of Sweden’s modernization, thereby making a significant contribution to research on the history of business and industry.