Per Brahe (the elder)

Per Brahe the elder (1520-1590) was a Swedish statesman.

Brahe was the nephew of King Gustavus Vasa and was among the first members of the Swedish nobility to be created a count when titles of nobility were introduced by King Eric XIV on the occasion of his coronation in 1561. Count Peter's county was Visingsborg. He had been member of the Privy Council of Sweden and Governor of Stockholm Castle from 1540. At the accession of King John III, he was appointed the Lord High Justiciar of Sweden (riksdrots) and Governor of Norrland as well as Governor of Stockholm Castle again.

He was the father of Erik Brahe (1552-1614), Gustaf Brahe (1558-1615) and Magnus Brahe (1564-1633), and the grandfather of Per Brahe the younger (1602-1680).