Vilhelm Prior
Vilhelm Prior | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Mølgård, Vandborg Parish, near Lemvig, Denmark |
| Died | May 20, 1910 (aged 75) Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, publisher |
| Known for | Book dealer to the Greek royal household (1876) and Danish monarchy (1906) |
Vilhelm Prior (10 April 1835 – 20 May 1910) was a prominent Danish bookseller and publisher. He received the distinction of being named book dealer to the Greek royal household in 1876, followed by a similar appointment to the Danish monarchy in 1906. Beginning in 1875, his bookstore operated from Købmagergade 52 in Copenhagen.
Early life and education
Born at Mølgård in Vandborg Parish near Lemvig, Prior was the son of chaplain Andreas Peter Prior (1805–1897) and Hansine Vilhelmine Eller (1809–1869). After his mother's passing, his father remarried Torbine Stenbrygger in 1871.
Prior’s initial education took place at home and a local village school before he relocated to Copenhagen with his brother in 1849 to enroll at Melchiors Borgerskole. In 1850, he commenced an apprenticeship at J. H. Bings Etablissement and subsequently enhanced his expertise as a bookseller through training abroad from 1855 until 1859.
Career
Upon returning to Copenhagen in 1859, Prior established a bookstore at Købmagergade 49. Although the early years were difficult, the enterprise experienced notable growth. He concentrated on publishing educational textbooks and managed orders for other booksellers, particularly those based in Norway. When the book commission system was consolidated in 1894, Prior distinguished himself as the only dealer who opted not to join the centralized commission arrangement.
In 1875, he moved his business to more spacious premises at Købmagergade 52. His esteemed reputation resulted in appointments as the official book dealer for the Greek court in 1876 and later for the Danish court in 1907.
Prior played an active role within the Copenhagen Bookdealers Association starting from 1863. His son, Aage Prior (1866–1936), joined as a partner in 1900 and assumed full control of the company following Vilhelm’s death in 1910.
Personal life
On 14 August 1864, Prior married Anna Maria Wørmer (1844–1890), daughter of lighthouse superintendent Heinrich Julius Wørmer, at Hønsted Church.
In recognition of his contributions, he was honored as a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1909. Vilhelm Prior passed away on 20 May 1910 in Copenhagen and was interred at Assistens Cemetery.