Ulrich Fredrich von Cappelen

Not to be confused with Ulrik Frederik Cappelen.

File:Ulrich fredrich von cappelen.jpg

Silhouette of Ulrich Fredrich von Cappelen from around 1790.

Ulrich Fredrich von Cappelen (1770–1820) was a Norwegian ship-owner and businessman.

Personal life

Ulrich Fredrich von Cappelen was born in 1770 to landowner and merchant Diderich von Cappelen (1734–1794) and his first wife Petronelle Pedersdatter Juel (1737–1785). He had two older brothers, one sister and one younger half-brother. His older brothers Peder Juel and Didrich became politicians.

In 1793 he married Benedicte Henrikke Aall (1772–1812), daughter of Nicolai Benjamin Aall and Amborg Jørgensdatter, née Wesseltoft. The couple had nine children, many of whom became noteworthy citizens. The sons Nicolai Benjamin and Ulrik Frederik became jurists and members of the national parliament. The third son, Wittus Juel, became a merchant in Drammen. The daughters Didricha and Louise were married consecutively to bishop and politician Jens Lauritz Arup. The fourth daughter Benedicte married her cousin Hans Blom Cappelen; their son Didrik became a member of parliament while their daughter Marie married Fritz Trampe Flood of the notable Flood ship-owner family. Finally, their fourth son Jørgen Wright Cappelen moved to Kristiania and founded the publishing house J.W. Cappelens Forlag,. Except for Nicolai Benjamin they all have descendants living in Norway today.

Career

Ulrich Fredrich von Cappelen grew up in Skien and was a merchant there. Some time after the death of his father he moved to Porsgrund, and started as a timber merchant and ship-owner. Having inherited assets and real estate, he bought more property, especially in rural Eidanger. However, the Gunboat War from 1807 to 1814, and the subsequent economic depression, had a very negative impact on his ship business. He was virtually bankrupt upon his death in 1820.