louis palander was born in karlskrona, sweden. his father axel fredrik palander was a rear admiral in the swedish navy, and the director of the royal navy shipyard in karlskrona. his mother was emelie jacquette constance du rées. louis palander became a naval cadet at the early age of 14. in 1864 he graduated from the royal swedish naval academy at karlberg palace as a second lieutenant and participated in expeditions to the mediterranean, sierra leone and liberia on the corvette "gefle", as well as in a trip to the united states. after several other appointments at sea, louis palander participated in nordenskiöld's expedition to spitsbergen in 1868, on board the steamer "sofia". the ship's captain was baron fredrik von otter. he married anna katarina grischotti the same year.