Peter Christian Knudtzon

Knudtzon was born on 19 March 1789 in Kristiansund, Norway, the son of merchant Nicolay Heinrich Knudtzon (1751–1842) and Janicke Fasting (1762–1848). His father was one of the town's leading merchants. His paternal uncle. Hans Carl Knudtzon, was also a successful merchant. Knudtzon was raised in Slesvig from where his father had emigrated to Norway in 1780. After moving to Copenhagen at the age of 16, he initially worked for J. J. Holbech.[1]

Knudtzon's schooner Lucinde with Vesuvio in the background, 1919.

Knudtzon's yacht Christiansgave, 1848..

In 1810, Knudtzon started his own business. He engaged in a number of speculative investments, especially on the property market in Copenhagen, with considerable succes.[1] In 1814, Knudtzon and two brothers-in-law took over his father-in-law's trading business on Iceland.The turbylent times during the war years 1807–14 brought him many difficulties, bringing him close to bankruptcy in 1818 and 1820, but both times with quick comebacks. In the 1830s, he completely dominated trade on the southern part of the island. A fleet of smaller fishing vessels picked up salt in Spain and returned with Dried and salted cod for the Mediterranean market. In 1842, he was a third time hit by economic difficulties but again managed to recover fairly quickly.

In 1855, P. C. Knudtzon & Søn's fleet consisted of the brigs Wilhelmine and Johanne, the schooners Harriet, Louise, Lucinde and Marie, the galleass Emmy, and the yachts Anna Helena, Cathinca, Christiansgave. Kis and Orøven.[2]

In 1824, Knudtzon was elected for the Council of 32 Men. In the 1830s, he was elected for Roskilde Constituent Assembly in the first election period (1835–40). In 1847–48, he was a member of Grosserersocietetet's committee.

In 1831, he was together with his friend Christian Rønnenkamp and the firm Hambro & Søn responsible for establishing Grosserersocietetets relief fund (understøttelsesfond).

Knudtzon was on 24 June 1810 married to Marie Thomsen (1 October 1788 - - 25 July 1831), She was a daughter of merchant Jess Thomsen (1734–1816) and Engel Knutzen (c. 1748–1829). She bore him one son, Jes Nicolai Knudtzon (1811-1840). Knudtzon was following the death of his first wife on 13 November 1839 second time married to Lucinde Gotschalk (17 March 1818 - 17 December 1888) in St. Peter's Church in Copenhagen. She was a daughter of merchantFrederik (Friedrich) Gotschalk (1786–1869) and Marie Frederikke Kierulf (1791–1870). He was from 1757 the owner of the property at Amaliegade 14 in Copenhagen. He died on 17 November 1864 and is buried in the Assistens Cemetery.[3]

He was survived by the following children:

• Nicolay Henrich Knudtzon (31 July 1841 - 18 July 1925)
• Frederik Gotschalk Knudtzon (,11 January 1843 - 14 May 1917)
• Søren Christian Knudtzon (16 July 1844 - 12 August 1913,)
• Jørgen Bailli Knudtzon (15 September 1847 - 29 March 1909)
• Bertha Knudtzon (24 February 1850 - 4 May 1923)
• Marie Lucinde Knudtzon (26 October 1851 - 28 April 1926)
• Harriet Knudtzon (16 February 1855 - 24 May 1927), married the dermatologist

Ludvig Nielsen.[4]

• Benedicte Knudtzon (23 September 1856 - 14 May 1940)m married the xoologist Jonas Collin.[5]

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