Jørgen Wright Cappelen
Jørgen Wright Cappelen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Porsgrund, Norway |
| Died | October 6, 1878 (aged 73) |
| Occupation(s) | Publisher, bookseller |
| Known for | Co-founder of Cappelen Damm |
Jørgen Wright Cappelen (born 10 August 1805, died 6 October 1878) was a notable Norwegian publisher and bookseller, recognized as a co-founder of the publishing company Cappelen Damm.
Personal life
Originating from Porsgrund, Norway, he was the youngest among nine siblings born to shipowner Ulrich Fredrich von Cappelen (1770–1820) and Benedicte Henrikke Aall (1772–1812). His maternal lineage featured influential political personalities, including Constitutional framers Niels Aall, Jacob Aall, and Jørgen Aall. Following the loss of both parents by age fifteen and the family's financial collapse, his guardianship was assumed by uncles Niels Aall and Diderik von Cappelen.
Among his brothers, Nicolai Benjamin and Ulrik Frederik pursued careers in law and served in parliament, while Wittus Juel engaged in commerce. His sisters Didricha and Louise were married to bishop and politician Jens Lauritz Arup. Another sister, Benedicte, wed their cousin Hans Blom Cappelen; their offspring included Didrik Cappelen, a parliamentarian, and Marie Cappelen, who married merchant Fritz Trampe Flood. In 1842, Jørgen entered into marriage with Danish opera soprano and actress Fredrikke Helene Schwirtz (1819–1870).
Career
After beginning theological studies in Basel, Cappelen relocated to Kristiania where he managed a bookstore situated on Storgata. In 1829, he established the publishing firm J.W. Cappelens Forlag, which initially specialized in religious literature before transitioning towards educational textbooks by the late 1800s.
He held the position as inaugural chairman of the Norwegian Booksellers Association from 1851 until 1870. Upon his passing, leadership passed to his son Jørgen Wright Cappelen Jr. (1857–1934). The enterprise was reorganized into distinct stock companies in 1957; the retail bookshop ceased operations in 1973. The publishing house endures today under the name Cappelen Damm following its merger with N. W. Damm & Søn.
See also
References