Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann
| Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann | |
|---|---|
Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann, c. 1762
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| Born |
13 July 1724 Demmin, Pommern |
| Died |
16 February 1782 (aged 57) Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Resting place | Schimmelmann-Mausoleum, Wandsbek Markt, Hamburg |
| Nationality | German-Danish |
| Occupation | Businessman, politician |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline von Schimmelmann |
| Children | Ernst Heinrich von Schimmelmann, Julie Reventlow |
Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann (13 July 1724 – 16 February 1782) was a German-born Danish nobleman, merchant and statesman.
His father was a merchant in Demmin. Since education was scarce, it was von Schimmelmann's force of personality that brought him success, although his ways are still unclear. Von Schimmelmann started out as a merchant himself, learning the trade in Stettin. Soon thereafter he set up a supplies store in Dresden. On 4 March 1747, at the age of 23, he married then 17-year-old Caroline Tugendreich Friedeborn, furthering his career. By 1755, von Schimmelmann was responsible for tariff collection in Kursachsen. This enabled him to assume control of deliveries to the Prussian army during King Frederick the Great's Seven Years' War against Saxony.
After having made his fortune in war, von Schimmelmann moved to Hamburg in 1759 and bought the Ahrensburg estate in Holstein. Here, the head of the Danish government, Count von Bernstorff, realized how von Schimmelmann's talents as a merchant could benefit the state of Denmark during those times of financial duress. Von Schimmelmann on his own part benefited from the connection with the Danish government both due to Denmark's neutrality being beneficial for trade, and for reasons of prestige. Negotiations soon led to Schimmelmann being appointed as second in command to the Danish attaché in Hamburg, and the connection with Denmark was solidified by buying property in Copenhagen and Jutland. He was also appointed Baron and received the Order of the Dannebrog.
The financial state in Denmark at the time was dire, due to the large army of 20-25.000 soldiers stationed in Holstein, the rearmament following the coronation of Peter III of Russia in 1762, and because it was hard for the state to get loans at the time. Denmark had tried to get funds through seignorage, but this destabilized both the state and the banks responsible. Lacking men of financial capacity, Schimmelmann's talents and reputation was utilized to get favorable loans from abroad to keep the Danish state and financial system afloat. In the years 1762-1765, Schimmelmann continued his work of securing the Danish government, sometimes even through loans of his own.
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