Ellef Ringnes
Ellef Ringnes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1842-10-25 Krødsherad, Buskerud, Norway |
| Died | 1929-03-15 Oslo, Norway |
| Occupation(s) | Brewer, patron |
| Known for | Co-founder of Ringnes Brewery; patron of Holmenkollen Line and Fram expeditions |
Ellef Ringnes (25 October 1842 – 15 March 1929) was a distinguished Norwegian brewer and influential patron.
Originating from the Ringnes farm located in Krødsherad, Buskerud, he was the son of farmer Anders Knudsen Ringnes and Maren Amundsdatter. At the age of 18, Ellef commenced his career as a travelling salesman for Christiania Bryggeri. In 1876, together with his brother Amund Ringnes and entrepreneur Axel Heiberg, he established the Ringnes & Compani brewery. This enterprise was the eighth brewery founded in Christiania (present-day Oslo) and later became known as Ringnes Bryggeri.
The brewery’s prosperity allowed the Ringnes brothers to become notable benefactors within Christiania. Their financial contributions supported infrastructure developments such as the Holmenkollen Line and health sanatoriums in Holmenkollen. Ellef held a board position at Holmenkolbanen, the company managing the light rail line, from 1896 until 1906. Alongside Heiberg and shipowner Thomas Fearnley, they backed Fridtjof Nansen’s Fram expedition as well as Otto Sverdrup’s Fram expedition between 1898 and 1902. In tribute, Sverdrup named two islands in their honor: Ellef Ringnes Island and Amund Ringnes Island.
In 1869, Ellef married Karen Tonette ("Kaja") Maartmann; together they had fourteen children. His father-in-law was Knud Geelmuyden Fleischer Maartmann. By 1896, Ellef became a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and acquired the family farm from his brother Amund. His residence at St. Hanshaugen Park, referred to as "Cairo" or "Ringnes Castle," along with the family farm, served as venues for numerous prestigious social gatherings. In 1901, leadership of Ringnes Brewery passed to his brother-in-law Harald Sigvart Maartmann, who was later succeeded by his son Knud Maartmann Ringnes in 1920.
Ellef Ringnes received several honors during his lifetime, including being named Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1896 and elevated to Commander of the First Class in 1908. He also held the rank of Commander in the Legion of Honour and was an honorary member of brewing organizations throughout Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. A commemorative bust was unveiled at Holmenkollen in 1930 to honor his legacy. He passed away in Oslo in 1929 at the age of 86.