Otto Thott
Encyclopedia
Otto Thott was a Danish
Count, minister of state, bibliophile
, and collector of books. He was one of the greatest private book collectors of his time in Denmark.
, where he went to school. He also lost his mother before he was 17 years of age. Thott was left alone almost without any funds. He was supported by and he was able to continue his development at the way that the time was considered to be necessary for a young nobleman, namely by a trip abroad.
He lived for a time in Halle, where he studied the Jurisprudence
, and also the history and philosophy. These studies he continued in the University of Jena and later during his stay in Holland, England and France. Besides, made the acquaintance with several scientists in the various towns where he stayed, and though his funds was probably limited, he earned himself valuable manuscripts and books.
Shortly after Frederick V's
accession to the throne he had received the Order of the Dannebrog
. On September 4, 1747, he received the title of Privy, and in 1752 the Dowager Queen Sophie Magdalene awarded him the order of "de l'union Parfait', and he occupied repeatedly for a long time a position as one of the Copenhagen Bank directors. In 1755-1758 he modernized Gavnø
, turning it into a rococo
palace.
(1689–1741), after his death. The library of Otto Thott contained 138,000 volumes at his death in 1785. It was one of the largest private libraries of the 18th century in Danmark.
The Royal Danish Library in Copenhagen received 4,154 manuscripts and 6,159 early printed books, of which 1,500 were incunabula. Further, the library bought about 60,000 volumes at the auction sale.
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...
Count, minister of state, bibliophile
Bibliophilia
Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. Accordingly a bibliophile is an individual who loves books. A bookworm is someone who loves books for their content, or who otherwise loves reading. The -ia-suffixed form "bibliophilia" is sometimes considered to be an incorrect usage; the older...
, and collector of books. He was one of the greatest private book collectors of his time in Denmark.
Early life and education
He was the son of Tage Thott (d. 1707) and Petra Sophie Reedtz. His father died before Otto had been reached the age of 4 years, and his mother moved, with him to SorøSorø
Sorø is a town in Sorø municipality in Region Sjælland on the island of Zealand in east Denmark. The population is 7,805 . The municipal council and the regional council are located in Sorø....
, where he went to school. He also lost his mother before he was 17 years of age. Thott was left alone almost without any funds. He was supported by and he was able to continue his development at the way that the time was considered to be necessary for a young nobleman, namely by a trip abroad.
He lived for a time in Halle, where he studied the Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
, and also the history and philosophy. These studies he continued in the University of Jena and later during his stay in Holland, England and France. Besides, made the acquaintance with several scientists in the various towns where he stayed, and though his funds was probably limited, he earned himself valuable manuscripts and books.
Career
After his return from the trip he obtained, in 1723, a secretary position in the Danish Chancellery, although he was only 20 years old. A significant step forward in his career was made on August 30, 1746, when he came to lead the Finance College as the 1st deputy, a post he held until the December 6, 1759. The year previously he had reached the highest statesmanship dignity on July 21, 1758, to join the "gehejmekonseillet".Shortly after Frederick V's
Frederick V of Denmark
Frederick V was king of Denmark and Norway from 1746, son of Christian VI of Denmark and Sophia Magdalen of Brandenburg-Kulmbach.-Early life:...
accession to the throne he had received the Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
. On September 4, 1747, he received the title of Privy, and in 1752 the Dowager Queen Sophie Magdalene awarded him the order of "de l'union Parfait', and he occupied repeatedly for a long time a position as one of the Copenhagen Bank directors. In 1755-1758 he modernized Gavnø
Gavnø
Gavnø is a small Danish island off the west coast of Zealand in Næstved Municipality. Located some 6 km south-west of Næstved, it has an area of 5.6 km2, and, as of 1 January 2010, it has a population of 57...
, turning it into a rococo
Rococo
Rococo , also referred to as "Late Baroque", is an 18th-century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly ornate, florid, and playful...
palace.
Book collector
Otto Thott acquired most of books of Edward HarleyEdward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer
Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer , styled Lord Harley between 1711 and 1724, was a British politician, bibliophile, collector and patron of the arts.-Background:...
(1689–1741), after his death. The library of Otto Thott contained 138,000 volumes at his death in 1785. It was one of the largest private libraries of the 18th century in Danmark.
The Royal Danish Library in Copenhagen received 4,154 manuscripts and 6,159 early printed books, of which 1,500 were incunabula. Further, the library bought about 60,000 volumes at the auction sale.
See also
- Daniel Gotthilf MoldenhawerDaniel Gotthilf MoldenhawerDaniel Gotthilf Moldenhawer , was a German-Danish philologist, theologian, librarian, bibliophile, palaeographer, diplomat, and Bible translator.- Early life and education:...
- Thott Palace
- GavnøGavnøGavnø is a small Danish island off the west coast of Zealand in Næstved Municipality. Located some 6 km south-west of Næstved, it has an area of 5.6 km2, and, as of 1 January 2010, it has a population of 57...
Further reading
- E. Holm Thott, Otto i 1. at the Dansk biografisk leksikonDansk biografisk leksikonDansk biografisk leksikon is a Danish biographical dictionary that has been published in three editions...
, pp. 336–342. - Catalogues of Otto Thott collection of books available at Google Books.
- Collectors' bindings
- Biblioteca Tottiana