Johannes Sejersted Bødtker
Johannes Mathias Sejersted Bødtker | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 29, 1879 Kristiansand, Norway |
| Died | January 17, 1963 (aged 83) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, art collector |
| Known for | Banking leadership, art collection, support of the arts |
Johannes Mathias Sejersted Bødtker CBE (29 May 1879 – 17 January 1963) was a prominent Norwegian banker, distinguished art collector, and supporter of the arts.
Early and personal life
Born in Kristiansand, Bødtker was the son of Major General Carl Fredrik Johannes Bødtker and Karen Agathe Falck. His family included notable figures such as his brother, radio personality Carl Bødtker, and his uncles, log driving manager Ragnvald Bødtker and County Governor Eivind Bødtker. He was also related to theatre critic Sigurd Bødtker and chemist Eyvind Bødtker.
In 1914, he married Louise Beer; following her passing in 1919, he wed her sister Ingeborg Beer two years later. Both spouses were granddaughters of the shipowner Anders Beer.
Career
Bødtker held leadership roles at several financial institutions: he led Norsk Investment from 1917 to 1923, Andresens Bank in 1919, and subsequently managed the merged entity Forretningsbanken beginning in 1920. In 1923, he established his own banking firm. His board memberships included Union Co. starting in 1934, Forsikringsselskapet Fram from 1937, and the Oslo Handelsstands Forening between 1921 and 1924. Additionally, he represented Finland as Honorary Consul in Oslo from 1934 until 1958.
As an enthusiastic collector of art, Bødtker gathered pieces by artists such as Reidar Aulie, J. C. Dahl, Kai Fjell, Per Krohg, and Edvard Munch. He contributed eight works from his collection of modern art to the National Gallery. His commitment to culture extended to serving on the board of the National Theatre for numerous years.
During the German occupation of Norway beginning in 1940, Bødtker was detained in 1941 due to his opposition to Nazi policies at the National Theatre, alongside fellow board members Harald Grieg and Francis Bull. He was incarcerated at Grini concentration camp from August 1941 until July 1944.
Awards
Sejersted Bødtker received the distinction of Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1912. His honors also include being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, as well as receiving high-ranking orders from Denmark (Order of the Dannebrog), Sweden (Order of the Polar Star), and Finland (Order of the White Rose).