Carl Frederik Tietgen
Encyclopedia
Carl Frederik Tietgen was a Danish
financier and industrialist. The founder of numerous prominent Danish companies, many of which are still in operation today, he played an important role in the industrialisation
of Denmark. Notably also forming conglomerate
s, several of Tietgen's companies attained a monopoly
-like status, which cemented their durability.
A dedicated Grundtvigian
, Tietgen made the completion of the Marble Church
which he financed at his own expense.
, the son of a manager of a social club for the local Bourgeoisie
where he helped out throughout his childhood. After finishing his commercial apprentice, he worked five years in Manchester
in England
, with travels to northern Germany
, Norway
and Sweden
. In England, Tietgen gained experience in private banking, an industry still in its infancy in Denmark at that time.
in 1855, but this career would not last long. In 1857, after his involvement as curator in a bankruptcy had demonstrated a remarkable eye for economy and strategic thinking, he was invited to join the management of Privatbanken Bank which under him developed into Denmark's first investment bank. He also introduced the cheque
to Denmark.
This enabled him to financially carry out his numerous investments and startups. Occasionally he also invested his own money in projects.
The companies founded or co-founded by Tietgen include:
, notably paying for the completion of Marble Church
. He also built Taarbæk Church on the Øresund coast north of Copenhagen.
.
Tietgen suffered partial paralysis
following a minor brain hemorrhage in 1896. He was weakened for the last years of his life, causing him to retire from most of his positions. Tietgen died in the evening of October 19, 1901 a memorial ceremony took place at the Marble Church on October 25. He was buried in Lyngby
on October 29, 1901.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
financier and industrialist. The founder of numerous prominent Danish companies, many of which are still in operation today, he played an important role in the industrialisation
Industrialisation
Industrialization is the process of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial one...
of Denmark. Notably also forming conglomerate
Conglomerate (company)
A conglomerate is a combination of two or more corporations engaged in entirely different businesses that fall under one corporate structure , usually involving a parent company and several subsidiaries. Often, a conglomerate is a multi-industry company...
s, several of Tietgen's companies attained a monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
-like status, which cemented their durability.
A dedicated Grundtvigian
Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig
Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig , most often referred to as simply N. F. S. Grundtvig, was a Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician. He was one of the most influential people in Danish history, as his philosophy gave rise to a new form of nationalism in...
, Tietgen made the completion of the Marble Church
Frederik's Church
Frederick's Church , popularly known as The Marble Church is a church in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located just north of Amalienborg Palace....
which he financed at his own expense.
Early life and career
Tietgen was born on 19 March 1829 in OdenseOdense
The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen...
, the son of a manager of a social club for the local Bourgeoisie
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
where he helped out throughout his childhood. After finishing his commercial apprentice, he worked five years in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, with travels to northern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. In England, Tietgen gained experience in private banking, an industry still in its infancy in Denmark at that time.
Foundation of Privatbanken
Back in Denmark, he founded a whole-saler business, C.F. Tietgen & Co, at Copenhagen's Gammeltorv MarketGammeltorv
Gammeltorv is the oldest square in Copenhagen, Denmark. With adjoining Nytorv it forms a common space along the Strøget pedestrian zone. While the square dates back to the foundation of the city in the 12th century, most of its buildings were constructed after the Great Fire of 1795 in...
in 1855, but this career would not last long. In 1857, after his involvement as curator in a bankruptcy had demonstrated a remarkable eye for economy and strategic thinking, he was invited to join the management of Privatbanken Bank which under him developed into Denmark's first investment bank. He also introduced the cheque
Cheque
A cheque is a document/instrument See the negotiable cow—itself a fictional story—for discussions of cheques written on unusual surfaces. that orders a payment of money from a bank account...
to Denmark.
This enabled him to financially carry out his numerous investments and startups. Occasionally he also invested his own money in projects.
Founded companies
- * Det Store Nordiske Telegraf-SelskabGreat Northern Telegraph CompanyThe Great Northern Telegraph Company was a Danish telegraph company founded in June 1869...
(1868)
The companies founded or co-founded by Tietgen include:
- De Danske SukkerfabrikkerDaniscoDanisco A/S is a Danish bio-based company with activities in food production, enzymes and other bioproducts as well as a wide variety of pharmaceutical grade excipients. It was formed in 1989 from the largest Danish industrial merger ever of the two old C.F...
(1872) - B&WBurmeister & WainBurmeister & Wain was a large established Danish shipyard and leading diesel engine producer headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded by two Danes and an Englishman, its earliest roots stretch back to 1846. Over its 150-year history, it grew successfully into a strong company through the end...
(1872) - Thingvalla LineThingvalla LineThingvalla line was a shipping company founded by the Danish Carl Frederik Tietgen in 1879 in Copenhagen, Denmark. It maintained a route between Copenhagen and New York City calling at Kristiania and Kristiansand on the way. It had 10 ships in its fleet...
(1879) - De Danske Spritfabrikker (1881)
- Kjøbenhavns Telefon AktieselskabTDC A/STDC A/S is the former telecom monopoly in Denmark. It is now privatized. Thus, it is the biggest company in all aspects of telecommunications in Denmark with landline, mobile, Internet, VHF maritime borderline-radio etc.By the end of 2004, the TDC Group had more than 13.4 mil. customers in Europe:...
(1982) - Det Forenede Dampskibs-SelskabDFDSDFDS is a Danish shipping company. It is one of the world's largest ferry operators. The companies name is an acronym of Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab DFDS is a Danish shipping company. It is one of the world's largest ferry operators. The companies name is an acronym of Det Forenede...
(1866 ) - Tuborg
Philanthropist
Tietgen was also to some extent a philanthropistPhilanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, notably paying for the completion of Marble Church
Frederik's Church
Frederick's Church , popularly known as The Marble Church is a church in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located just north of Amalienborg Palace....
. He also built Taarbæk Church on the Øresund coast north of Copenhagen.
Personal life
Tietgen married the then 19-year-old Laura Charlotte Jørgensen on August 8, 1855, in Vejstrup on the island of FunenFunen
Funen , with a size of 2,984 km² , is the third-largest island of Denmark following Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy, and the 163rd largest island of the world. Funen is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 454,358 inhabitants . The main city is Odense, connected to the...
.
Tietgen suffered partial paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
following a minor brain hemorrhage in 1896. He was weakened for the last years of his life, causing him to retire from most of his positions. Tietgen died in the evening of October 19, 1901 a memorial ceremony took place at the Marble Church on October 25. He was buried in Lyngby
Kongens Lyngby
Kongens Lyngby is the main city in the affluent Danish municipality of Lyngby-Taarbæk. Just north of Copenhagen, the city lies in the northern part of Denmark's largest island, Zealand...
on October 29, 1901.