Hans Niels Andersen: Difference between revisions
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'''Hans Niels Andersen''' (10 September 1852 – 30 December 1937) was a [[Denmark|Danish]] [[shipping]] [[magnate]], businessman and founder of the [[East Asiatic Company]]. |
'''Hans Niels Andersen''' (10 September 1852 – 30 December 1937) was a [[Denmark|Danish]] [[shipping]] [[magnate]], businessman, diplomat and founder of the [[East Asiatic Company]]. |
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==Early life |
==Early life== |
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Born into a working-class family in [[Nakskov]], he trained as a [[shipbuilder]] before hiring on as a [[Carpentry|ship's carpenter]] in 1872. |
Born into a working-class family in [[Nakskov]], he trained as a [[shipbuilder]] before hiring on as a [[Carpentry|ship's carpenter]] in 1872. He came to [[Bangkok]] for the first time in 1873 and advanced to [[first mate]] and later [[Captain (nautical)|master]] of ''Thoon Kramom'', a ship owned by [[Chulalongkorn]], the king of [[Siam]]. Subsequently, he entered the [[freight]] business in East Asia and later Europe.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Lindblad|first=J. Thomas|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jP5eCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA182&dq=Hans+Niels+Andersen&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjLhZ3K9aHpAhWGsKQKHc2JA204ChDoAQgnMAA#v=onepage&q=Hans%20Niels%20Andersen&f=false|title=Foreign Investment in Southeast Asia in the Twentieth Century|date=|publisher=Springer|year=1998|isbn=978-0-230-38913-7|location=Basingstoke and New York|pages=42|language=en}}</ref> |
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== Business == |
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In |
In 1884 he started his own company in Bangkok, Andersen & Co., which encompassed import/export, shipping, [[logging]] and [[sawmill]]s. |
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Returning to [[Copenhagen]], he opened a branch office of his company and in 1897, together with [[Isak Glückstadt]], director of the [[Danish Farmers' Bank]], founded the East Asiatic Company. |
Returning to [[Copenhagen]], he opened a branch office of his company and in 1897, together with [[Isak Glückstadt]], director of the [[Danish Farmers' Bank]], founded the East Asiatic Company with an initial equity of 3.5 million [[Danish krone|Danish kroner]]. Its original purpose was to facilitate trade between Denmark and the [[Far East]], but it continued to grow, diversifying into shipbuilding, [[marine propulsion]], [[insurance]], etc., until it eventually became the largest company in Denmark.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> |
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In 1912, Andersen commissioned the Copenhagen shipbuilding company [[Burmeister & Wain]] to build the [[MS Selandia]], the world's first oceangoing [[Motor ship|motorship]]. The East Asiatic Company expanded further, opening branch offices all over the world, reaching 250 enterprises in over 50 countries.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Thomas|first=Alastair H.|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=msxKvluMkh4C&pg=PA128&dq=Hans+Niels+Andersen&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig4bW_6qHpAhWH_qQKHRSQCGwQ6AEIazAI#v=onepage&q=Hans%20Niels%20Andersen&f=false|title=The A to Z of Denmark|date=|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4616-7184-8|location=Lanham, MD|pages=128 - 129|language=en}}</ref> |
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During [[World War I]], in which Denmark remained neutral, he went on missions to several countries, attempting unsuccessfully to initiate peace negotiations, but more successfully to secure Danish interests. |
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Andersen remained in the position of executive director for four decades. At the time of his death, in 1937, the aggregate turnover of the company was exceeding 233 million kroner.<ref name=":0" /> |
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== Diplomacy == |
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During [[World War I]], in which Denmark remained neutral, he was entrusted by the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Denmark)|Danish Foreign Minister]], [[Erik Scavenius]], with missions to several countries with the purpose of finding an end to the conflict. Andersen, who was an intimate friend of the [[Danish royal family]], was well versed in dealing with royalty. He hoped to appeal the British king [[George V]] and the Russian czar [[Nicholas II of Russia|Nikolai II]] who, along with the Danish king [[Christian X of Denmark|Christian X]], were all first cousins. He attempted unsuccessfully to initiate peace negotiations, but more successfully to secure Danish interests.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Hollander|first=Neil|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=RZHLAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA78&dq=Hans+Niels+Andersen&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig4bW_6qHpAhWH_qQKHRSQCGwQ6AEIYjAH#v=onepage&q=Hans%20Niels%20Andersen&f=false|title=Elusive Dove: The Search for Peace During World War I|date=|publisher=McFarland|year=2013|isbn=978-1-4766-1410-6|location=Jefferson, NC|pages=78|language=en}}</ref> |
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Andersen, who was sympathetic to the [[Allies of World War I|Allies]], was most likely unaware that his diplomatic mission for peace was proposed to the Danish government by the German authorities, who were trying to probe ways to get Russia out of the war, so they could concentrate their efforts on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Stibbe|first=Matthew|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UZglcJuJWrYC&pg=PT350&dq=Hans+Niels+Andersen&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig4bW_6qHpAhWH_qQKHRSQCGwQ6AEIdDAJ#v=onepage&q=Hans%20Niels%20Andersen&f=false|title=A Companion to Europe, 1900 - 1945|date=|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4443-9167-1|editor-last=Martel|editor-first=Gordon|series=Blackwell Companions to European History|location=Carlton, Australia|pages=228 - 242|language=en|chapter=The War from Above: Aims, Strategy, and Diplomacy}}</ref> |
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He was Siam's [[Consul General]] in Denmark 1898–1932, became titular Councilor of State ({{Lang-da|Etatsråd}}) in 1900, and was created [[Order of the Elephant|Knight of the Elephant]], the highest Danish [[Order (decoration)|order]], in 1919. |
He was Siam's [[Consul General]] in Denmark 1898–1932, became titular Councilor of State ({{Lang-da|Etatsråd}}) in 1900, and was created [[Order of the Elephant|Knight of the Elephant]], the highest Danish [[Order (decoration)|order]], in 1919. |
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==Further reading== |
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{{Refbegin}} |
{{Refbegin}} |
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* {{cite web|title=H.N. Andersen|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Bil,_b%C3%A5d,_fly_m.m./S%C3%B8fart/Rederifolk/Hans_Niels_Andersen|work=[[Den Store Danske Encyklopædi]]|language=Danish|accessdate=22 January 2010}} |
* {{cite web|title=H.N. Andersen|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Bil,_b%C3%A5d,_fly_m.m./S%C3%B8fart/Rederifolk/Hans_Niels_Andersen|work=[[Den Store Danske Encyklopædi]]|language=Danish|accessdate=22 January 2010}} |
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{{Refend}} |
{{Refend}} |
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== References == |
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{{Authority control}} |
<references /><br />{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Andersen, Hans Niels}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Andersen, Hans Niels}} |
Revision as of 14:24, 7 May 2020
Hans Niels Andersen | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 30 December 1937 | (aged 85)
Nationality | Danish |
Occupation(s) | Shipping magnate, businessman |
Known for | Founder of the East Asiatic Company |
Awards | Knight of the Elephant |
Hans Niels Andersen (10 September 1852 – 30 December 1937) was a Danish shipping magnate, businessman, diplomat and founder of the East Asiatic Company.
Early life
Born into a working-class family in Nakskov, he trained as a shipbuilder before hiring on as a ship's carpenter in 1872. He came to Bangkok for the first time in 1873 and advanced to first mate and later master of Thoon Kramom, a ship owned by Chulalongkorn, the king of Siam. Subsequently, he entered the freight business in East Asia and later Europe.[1]
Business
In 1884 he started his own company in Bangkok, Andersen & Co., which encompassed import/export, shipping, logging and sawmills.
Returning to Copenhagen, he opened a branch office of his company and in 1897, together with Isak Glückstadt, director of the Danish Farmers' Bank, founded the East Asiatic Company with an initial equity of 3.5 million Danish kroner. Its original purpose was to facilitate trade between Denmark and the Far East, but it continued to grow, diversifying into shipbuilding, marine propulsion, insurance, etc., until it eventually became the largest company in Denmark.[1][2]
In 1912, Andersen commissioned the Copenhagen shipbuilding company Burmeister & Wain to build the MS Selandia, the world's first oceangoing motorship. The East Asiatic Company expanded further, opening branch offices all over the world, reaching 250 enterprises in over 50 countries.[2]
Andersen remained in the position of executive director for four decades. At the time of his death, in 1937, the aggregate turnover of the company was exceeding 233 million kroner.[1]
Diplomacy
During World War I, in which Denmark remained neutral, he was entrusted by the Danish Foreign Minister, Erik Scavenius, with missions to several countries with the purpose of finding an end to the conflict. Andersen, who was an intimate friend of the Danish royal family, was well versed in dealing with royalty. He hoped to appeal the British king George V and the Russian czar Nikolai II who, along with the Danish king Christian X, were all first cousins. He attempted unsuccessfully to initiate peace negotiations, but more successfully to secure Danish interests.[3]
Andersen, who was sympathetic to the Allies, was most likely unaware that his diplomatic mission for peace was proposed to the Danish government by the German authorities, who were trying to probe ways to get Russia out of the war, so they could concentrate their efforts on the Western Front.[3][4]
He was Siam's Consul General in Denmark 1898–1932, became titular Councilor of State (Danish: Etatsråd) in 1900, and was created Knight of the Elephant, the highest Danish order, in 1919.
Further reading
- "H.N. Andersen". Den Store Danske Encyklopædi (in Danish). Retrieved 22 January 2010.
- Lange, Ole (1986). Den hvide elefant (in Danish). Copenhagen: Gyldendal. ISBN 87-01-68405-1.
References
- ^ a b c Lindblad, J. Thomas (1998). Foreign Investment in Southeast Asia in the Twentieth Century. Basingstoke and New York: Springer. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-230-38913-7.
- ^ a b Thomas, Alastair H. (2009). The A to Z of Denmark. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. pp. 128–129. ISBN 978-1-4616-7184-8.
- ^ a b Hollander, Neil (2013). Elusive Dove: The Search for Peace During World War I. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-4766-1410-6.
- ^ Stibbe, Matthew (2006). "The War from Above: Aims, Strategy, and Diplomacy". In Martel, Gordon (ed.). A Companion to Europe, 1900 - 1945. Blackwell Companions to European History. Carlton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 228–242. ISBN 978-1-4443-9167-1.
- 19th-century Danish businesspeople
- 20th-century Danish businesspeople
- People from Nakskov
- People from Lolland Municipality
- Grand Crosses of the Order of the Dannebrog
- 19th-century Danish people
- 20th-century Danish people
- 1852 births
- 1937 deaths
- Danish businesspeople in shipping
- Burials at Vestre Cemetery, Copenhagen
- Danish business biography stubs
- Shipping biography stubs