 A distinguished writer and musical amateur himself, King Oscar proved a generous friend of learning, and did much to encourage the development of education throughout his dominions.In 1858 a collection of his lyrical and narrative poems, "Memorials of the Swedish Fleet", published anonymously, obtained the second prize of the Swedish Academy.His "Contributions to the Military History of Sweden in the Years 1711, 1712, 1713", originally appeared in the Annals of the Academy, and were printed separately in 1865.