Jacob (Jakob) Frederik Scavenius (12 September 1838 - 26 November 1915) was a Danish landowner and politician. He was a member of

Folketinget The Folketing ( , ), also known as the Parliament of Denmark or the Danish Parliament in English, is the unicameral List of legislatures by country, national legislature (parliament) of the Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark — Denmark proper to ...

from 1865 to 1901 and served as

Minister of Education An education minister (sometimes minister of education) is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters. Where known, the government department, ministry, or agency that develops policy and deli ...

from 1880 to 1891.

Early life and education

Scavenius was born on 12 September 1838 in

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...

, the son of

Peder Brønnum Scavenius Peder Brønnum Scavenius (6 January 1795 - 4 December 1868) was a Denmark, Danish landowner and politician. He was the owner of Gjorslev on the Stevns Peninsula, Klintholm Manor, Klintholm on Møn and Petersgaard at Vordingborg. He was an also inv ...

and Charlotte S. Meincke (1811–72). He graduated from

Metropolitanskolen Metropolitanskolen ("The Metropolitan School") was a school in Copenhagen, Denmark founded in 1209 by the Bishop , and for centuries one of the most prestigious schools in the country. History The school was founded in 1209 next to the Church of ...

in 1857 and earned a degree in economics (cand. polit.) in 1867. He then went on a journey to Germany, Austria, Spain and France.

Property

Scavenius inherited

Gjorslev Gjorslev is a cruciform medieval castle located 17 km south-east of Køge, on the Stevns Peninsula, Stevns Municipality, some forty kilometres south of Copenhagen, Denmark. Originally owned by the Diocese of Roskilde (Roman-Catholic), Bishop ...

in 1868.

Political career

Scavenius was first elected for

in 1865. He served as

from 24 August 1880 to 6 July 1891.

Personal life

Scavenius married Louise Sophie Castonier (4 September 1844 6 November 1920) on 21 June 1865. She was a daughter of lieutenant colonel in the

Danish West Indies The Danish West Indies () or Danish Virgin Islands () or Danish Antilles were a Danish colony in the Caribbean, consisting of the islands of Saint Thomas with , Saint John () with , Saint Croix with , and Water Island. The islands of St ...

Frederik Julius Christian Castonier (1804–67) and Annie Catharine O'Ferral (1813–78). He was the father of Harald Scavenius. He died on 26 November 1915 and is buried at Holtug Cemetery.

Honours

* Cross of Honour, 1864 * Knight in the Order of the Dannebrog, 1878 * Commander of the 2nd Class, 1881 * Commander of the 1st Class, 1884 * Grand Cross, 1888 * Medal of Merit in Fold, 1903

References

19th-century Danish politicians 19th-century Danish landowners 20th-century Danish landowners University of Copenhagen alumni Grand Crosses of the Order of the Dannebrog Scavenius family 1838 births 1915 deaths Kultus ministers of Denmark Politicians from Copenhagen Members of the Folketing {{Denmark-politician-stub