He acquired a doctor of philosophy and theology degree at Uppsala University in 1842, became dean and was ordained a priest in 1845. He then undertook travel through Europe in 1849–50. He was a lecturer in theology at Lund University in 1849 and from 1852 to 1856 a professor of dogmatics and moral theology.
From 1856 to 1864 he was professor of church history and symbolism at the university. In 1861 he was appointed vicar in Lund before being appointed bishop of the Diocese of Karlstad in 1864. In 1870, he became Archbishop of Uppsala and Pro-Chancellor of Uppsala University. Sundberg was a member of the Swedish Academy from 1874 and of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences from 1877.[2]
