Jørgen Thormøhlen
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Kronstad_Hovedg%C3%A5rd.jpg/300px-Kronstad_Hovedg%C3%A5rd.jpg)
Jørgen Thormøhlen (c 1640 – 25 December 1708) was a Norwegian merchant, slave trader and industrialist.[1]
Biography
Thormøhlen was born in the Duchy of Holstein, at that time a hereditary possession of the King of Denmark as Duke of Holstein-Glückstadt. He was the son of a wine trader from the city of Hamburg named Jürgen ther Möhlen (c. 1615–1645). In 1664, he settled in Bergen, where he married Giertrud Magers. She was the daughter of naturalized citizen Hendrich Magers, who was regarded as the wealthiest merchant in Bergen.[2]
Thormøhlen became the largest ship owner in Norway, traded fish from Northern Norway and was involved in a number of other businesses. He made his fortune through international trade, shipping and industry. He also developed an industrial site located at Møhlenpris. The property included a salt refinery, packing sheds, deep-water harbor, and workers' homes. In 1682, King Christian V of Denmark proclaimed him trade director (kommersedirektør). in 1695, he received royal permission to issue banknotes supported by a loan from King Christian V. From 1685–1693, Kronstad Hovedgård manor house belonged to Jørgen Thormøhlen. It is located in the borough of Årstad on the south shore of the bay of Store Lungegårdsvannet south of Bergen. However heavy losses on colonial trade and the Great Fire of 1702 at Bryggen created difficulties and he went bankrupt.[3][4][5][6]
Personal life
He was married to Giertrud Magers (1644–1719), daughter of Hendrich Magers (ca 1610–1671) and Mægtele Lorentzen. They were the parents of a number of children. Thormøhlen was the great-grandfather of Bergen City Manager Claus Fasting (1746–1791).[7]
References
- ^ Godal, Anne Marit (ed.). "Jørgen Thor Møhlen". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ Fossen, Anders Bjarne. "Jørgen Thormøhlen". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ^ "Jørgen Thormøhlen". danskmoent.dk. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ "Møhlenpris". kunsthistorie. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ "Kronstad Hovedgård- historien kort fortalt". Kronstad Hovedgård. February 25, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ "Bryggen i Bergen". Store norske leksikon. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ Godal, Anne Marit (ed.). "Claus Fasting – norsk journalist". Store norske leksikon. Archived from the original on April 13, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
Other sources
- Fossen, Anders Bjarne (1978) Jørgen Thormøhlen: Forretningsmann, storreder, finansgeni (Einar Blaauw) ISBN 978-8271290191