Björklund (1846-1903) was a Swedish writer on philosophical, social and scientific subjects. The son of a farmer, he studied at the University of Uppsala for several years, apparently without following any recognized course, eventually taking his BA in philosophy in 1878. He then went on to study philosophy and international law in Lund from 1879-80, and from 1885-90 conducted natural science studies at Stockholm University, making his home in that city for the rest of his life. From 1887 he began publishing works based on his untiring studies. His book Peace and Disarmament brought him widespread recognition, being translated into several languages including English, French, German, Dutch and Polish, and as a result he was elected as an honorary member of the Swedish Peace Society. In his later years he devoted less time to active work in the universal peace movement and became more absorbed in scientific research and philosophical concerns. Published in 1900, this was his last work in which he outlines his conceptions of the nature and evolution of life. Reprinted from the English translation of 1910.