Carl Deichman

Carl Deichman's gravestone in Porsgrunn

Carl Deichman (* 1700 or 1705 in Odense or Viborg ; † April 21, 1780 in Porsgrunn ) was a Norwegian factory owner and book collector whose library formed the basis for the Deichmanske bibliotek in Oslo.

His parents were the Bishop of Oslo Bartholomæus Deichman (1671-1731) and his wife Else Rosenmeyer (around 1669-1745). He remained unmarried.

Deichman grew up in Christiania , where his father had been a bishop since 1712. After basic training at home, he went to Kongsberg and learned mining. In 1726 he went on a major trip abroad. In that year he was appointed court squire to Frederick IV . When he died in 1730, his career at court came to an end, as his father was with the successor Christian VI. fell out of favor and was deposed. On the occasion of a visit by King Chrian VI. in Norway he received the title of chancellery and became an assessor at the higher court in Christiania. After four years he left this position to manage his fortune and to expand his knowledge. Together with his brother Chamberlain Wilhelm Deichman and his brother-in-law Herman Leopoldus (later "Løvenskiold") he bought the Fossum ironworks in 1734. In 1737 he bought Leopoldus' share. The brothers were the sole owners of the ironworks until 1739. Then they exchanged this work for the Bolvigs ironworks (west of Porsgrunn) from Leopoldus. They sold it back to him two years later. They later became co-owners of several companies, including the ironworks in Eidsfoss (in Hof ) in 1753 . Carl Deichman was also active as a businessman. Both brothers remained unmarried and ran a common household in Porsgrunn. When Wilhelm died, Carls inherited his fortune.

Carl Deichman represented the educated upper class of the bourgeoisie, which made its mark in the 18th century. Norway played an increasingly important economic role within the Danish-Norwegian Empire, thanks in particular to its iron industry. Without this, the empire would not have been able to assert itself against the great power Sweden. That also made it necessary to always be up to date with technology. This is what the ironworks Fossum, Bolvig and Eidsfoss stood for. In addition to the important production of cannons, the production of cast iron stoves with their artistic stove plates was also on the production program.

During its commercial activity, the Deichman brothers' house was the center of cultural circles in Porsgrunn. He himself cultivated his literary interests in the spirit of the Rococo . He was in correspondence with many scholars of his time and was a member of several learned societies, for example of "Det Kjøbenhavnske Videnskabsselskab" since 1758 and from 1796 of "Det Trondhjemske Selskab" (today " Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskab ") in Trondheim . He collected a large library, which at his death contained around 6,000 volumes, as well as manuscripts, diplomas, maps, antiques and a coin collection. He bequeathed this entire collection plus 2,000 Rigsdaler to the city of Christiania. The collection was opened to the public in 1785 and formed the basis for the Deichmanske bibliotek in Oslo.

Explanations

1. ↑ At that time the “Chancellery” was just a title with no special function. He was under the Council of Justice and was in 6th grade at court.
2. ↑ The "Assessor" was an associate judge in a collegial court.
3. ^ The "Oberhofgericht" was a court of appeal established in Akershus in 1666, to which appeals against decisions of the Lagting could be directed. An appeal could be lodged with the Supreme Court (Højesteret) in Copenhagen against decisions of the High Court. In 1797 it was replaced by the Stiftsoverret.

literature

Gunnar Christie Wasberg: Article “Carl Deichman” in: Norsk biografisk leksikon , accessed on November 21, 2010.