Bo Henrik Gustaf Helin

Helin was the eldest son of Gustaf Helin and Anna Maria Eklund. He was born in “Västra Ryd socken, (Upplands-Bro Kommun) Stockholms län” (English: Västra Ryd Parish (Upplands-Bro municipality), Stockholm county), a region known for grand estates and hosting military regiments.[1]

Bo Henrik Gustaf Helin early life was spent at the family's estate in the parish. He later moved to the family's estate Kloster Herrgård (English: Monastery Palace). At the estate he found an interest in architecture and made detailed plans on extending the estates stables amongst other improvements. In the early 20th century, the Kloster estate's principal building, Kloster Herrgård (English: Monastery Palace), was reconstructed as commissioned by Bo Henrik Gustaf Helin.[2] The Kloster estate in the early 20th century encompassed the whole urban area of Kloster, Hedemora municipality.[3]

The Helin family owned an estate on Östermalm at present day Villagatan. Bo Helin stayed at the estate and became acquainted with Inga Karin Emilia Engwall (1914-1990), who lived at Ivar Kreuger's estate on Villagatan 13, Östermalm. In 1937, Bo Henrik Gustaf Helin married Inga Karin Emilia Engwall.[4] Inga Engwall was the daughter of Knut Emil Engwall and granddaughter of Victor Theodor Engwall.

Bo Henrik Gustaf Helin was appointed as editor in 1938 at Aftonbladet. The owner of Aftonbladet, Torsten Kreuger, had a acquaintanceship with Helin through a joint friend, Ernst Taube. In 1941, he was promoted to deputy chief editor and member of the company board. He worked under the chief editor P.G. Peterson. Under the 1940s he was active in establishing a union organ at Aftonbladet. His cousin, Per Helin was further a editor for Aftonbladet at the time.[5]

He was befriended by, amongst others, Karl Alfred Gustawsson at the national archives, whose letters discuss Helin’s life and have been archived by the Swedish National Archives.[6]

Bo Henrik Gustaf Helin was a close friend of writer Björn von Rosen [sv] and commander Pedro Ahlmark [sv]. The three managed “Maskulinum” a monthly paper on all men related matter. The company published advertisement for wealthy socialites and was made out of silk, letter and had marbled cuts.[7] In 1943, Helin was appointed chief editor and chairman of the publication.[7] Bertil Almqvist, another friend of the three, was responsible for the publications art and page design.

Bo Henrik Gustaf Helin invited Evert Taube to the publication. Taube agreed and three joint papers were published.[8] Evert Taube and Helin had already prior to the guest articles been acquainted by both being friends of Paul Toll.

Helin’s cousin-in-law Count Folke Bernadotte of Wisborg also guested the publication. He wrote about the Swedish shooting movement.[8]

Other writers at the publication included illustrator Adolf Hallman, author Einar Moberg, and writer Harry Martinson.[8]