Erich Erichsen
Erich Erichsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Odense, Denmark |
| Died | January 7, 1837 (aged 84) |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, shipowner |
| Years active | 1783–1833 |
| Known for | Leading C. S. Blachs Enke & Co.; Erichsen Mansion headquarters of Danske Bank until 2023 |
Erich Erichsen (31 March 1752 – 7 January 1837) was a prominent Danish merchant and shipowner who took the helm of the trading firm C. S. Blachs Enke & Co. starting in 1783. The Erichsen Mansion located in Copenhagen, bearing his name, functioned as the headquarters for Danske Bank until the year 2023.
Early life and education
Erichsen was born in Odense to Laurids Erichsen, who served as a war and district commissioner. He pursued and completed a commercial apprenticeship in Copenhagen.
Career
Following his apprenticeship, Erichsen became affiliated with the Blach trading company and assumed leadership responsibilities after the passing of C. S. Blach in 1781. His marriage to Blach’s widow in 1783 resulted in his acquisition of the business, which he subsequently renamed C. S. Blachs Enke & Co. By 1797, his fleet had expanded to 13 vessels engaged in importing spices and textiles from the East Indies, as well as transporting grain from the Baltic region to England. In addition to shipping, he was involved in lending money.
Around the turn of the 19th century, several of his ships were seized by privateers, causing significant challenges for his maritime operations. This led Erichsen to pivot toward banking activities. Between 1808 and 1812, and again during the 1820s, he provided considerable loans to the Danish government.
His brother Peter played a long-standing role as partner, and his sons became part of the firm in 1816; nevertheless, the company ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 1833.
Erichsen held various influential positions including membership on the board of the Danish Asiatic Company from 1783 to 1792, managing directorship at Speciesbanken between 1791 and 1813, and representation on the National Bank’s board from 1818 to 1825. He was also part of the Council of 32 Men from 1788 until 1806 and served as president of Grosserer-Societetet from its inception in 1817.
He earned several royal distinctions: appointed royal agent in 1782, granted the title etatsråd (council of state) in 1812, and elevated to konferensråd in 1831.
Property
Between 1799 and 1801, Erichsen constructed the Erichsen Mansion on Holmens Kanal. He also commissioned the country estate Hellerupgård, designed by architect Joseph-Jacques Ramée.
By 1807, Blach & Co. maintained warehouse facilities at Bådsmandsstræde 6/Overgaden neden Vandet 51 within Christianshavn, as well as another location at Christianshavns Voldgade 1-3/Overgaden oven Vandet 2 and 2 A.