Herman Jacob Bing
Herman Jacob Bing | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1776-03-16 Amsterdam |
| Died | 1844-03-10 |
| Occupation(s) | Educator, bookseller |
| Known for | Co-establishing Copenhagen's first Jewish school; founding H. J. Bing & Søn bookstore |
Herman (Heiman) Jacob Bing (16 March 1776 – 10 March 1844) was a Jewish-Danish educator and bookseller. In 1803, he co-established Copenhagen's inaugural Jewish educational institution, Bing & Kalich's Institute. Later, in 1820, he founded a bookstore that his sons Meyer Herman Bing and Jacob Herman Bing operated under the name H. J. Bing & Søn. His offspring also played a role in founding the Bing & Grøndahl porcelain company, while his grandson Harald Bing was instrumental in launching the newspaper Politiken.
Early life and education
Born in Amsterdam, Bing was the son of Jacob Bing and Jitle Oppenheim. Following his mother's remarriage to Moses Ruben Renner in Hamburg in 1787, he relocated to Copenhagen in 1799.
Career
Bing initially worked as a calico printer and subsequently as a tutor in Roskilde. Together with his brother-in-law L. J. Kalisch, he founded a Jewish school in 1803. By 1818, the institution had graduated approximately 400 pupils and played an important role in advancing Jewish emancipation, though it struggled to financially sustain two families.
On 10 September 1819, Bing obtained royal permission to operate a shop retailing writing and drawing supplies, maps, and educational books. The store originally opened at the intersection of Pilestræde and Sværtegade, before relocating to Kronprinsensgade 36.
His sons later became involved in the enterprise, elevating it to one of Copenhagen’s foremost bookstores. Bing was among the nine individuals who founded the Danish Booksellers' Association in 1837. In 1839, he handed over ownership to his sons Meyer Herman Bing and Jacob Herman Bing. Under Jacob Herman Bing’s management, H. J. Bing & Søn grew into the city’s leading bookshop, a legacy continued by Meyer Herman Bing’s son Jacob Martin Bing from 1863 until the store’s closure in 1885.
Personal life
On 12 June 1805, Bing married Sara Meyer (1776–1848), daughter of merchant Meyer Isaac and Sara Meyer Hausen.
He held positions on the board of representatives for the Jewish congregation and served as director of Carolineskolen, the Jewish girls' school.
Bing passed away on 10 March 1844 and was interred at Copenhagen's Jewish Northern Cemetery (grave no. G-6-10).