C. V. L. (Carl Vilhelm Ludwig) Charlier

Born in Östersund on April 1, 1862, Carl Vilhelm Ludwig Charlier was a Swedish astronomer whose work ranged from celestial mechanics to the large-scale structure of the universe. He studied at Uppsala University, earned his doctorate there in 1887, and later worked at the Stockholm Observatory before returning to academic life in Sweden.

Charlier is especially remembered for his research on the distribution and motions of stars, and for ideas about a hierarchical universe that made him an important figure in early cosmology. He also wrote and taught widely, helping build astronomy as a modern scientific field in Sweden.

In 1897 he became professor of astronomy and director of the observatory at Lund University, a post he held for decades. He received major international recognition late in life, including the Bruce Medal, and died in Lund in 1934.