Peter Ulrich Frederik Benzon (11 June 1760 – 21. January 1840) was a Danish jurist and landowner. He spent four years in
Borway, then part of
Denmark-Norway, as
County governor of Stavanger. After his return to Denmark, he settled on the
Christiansdal estate on
Funen
Funen (, ), is the third-largest List of islands of Denmark, island of Denmark, after Zealand and North Jutlandic Island, Vendsyssel-Thy, with an area of . It is the List of islands by area, 165th-largest island in the world. It is located in th ...
.
Early life and education
Benzon was born in
Odense
Odense ( , , ) is the third largest city in Denmark (after Copenhagen and Aarhus) and the largest city on the island of Funen. As of 1 January 2025, the city proper had a population of 185,480 while Odense Municipality had a population of 210, ...
to colonel-lieutenant Christian Benzon (died 1801) and Albertine Christine von Benzon. His father held the entailed properties Stamhuset Cathrineberg and Stamhuset Christiansdal. Benzon was appointed to ''kammerjunker'' in 1777 and the next year to ''gofjunker''. In 1779, he earned an Exam. Juris degree from the
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen (, KU) is a public university, public research university in Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the second-oldest university in Scandinavia, after Uppsala University.
...
.
Years in Norway, 17811785
In 1781, when he was just 21 years old, Benzon was appointed as chamberlain (''kammerherre'') and, by cabinet order, as
county governor of Stavanger. This was an unusual posting for a 21-year-old man, especially since
Christian Colbjørnsen
Christian Colbjørnsen (29 January 1749 – 17 December 1814) served as the Chief Justice of Denmark-Norway from 1802 until 1814.
Background
Christian Colbjørnsen was born in Sørum, Akershus, in the traditional region of Romerike, Norway. ...
, a much more qualified jurist, was also among the applicants, but he had connections in the royal court.
He served in Stavanger until his resignation in 1785 due to his wife's health. It is said that she could not tolerate the colder climate in Stavanger and needed to go back to Denmark.
Property
In 1801, he came into possession of the Tirsbækske Fideikommis. In 1804, he ceded oit to his brother, Jakov Benzon, in exchange for
Christiansdal.on
Funen
Funen (, ), is the third-largest List of islands of Denmark, island of Denmark, after Zealand and North Jutlandic Island, Vendsyssel-Thy, with an area of . It is the List of islands by area, 165th-largest island in the world. It is located in th ...
.
Personal life
Benzon married Juliane Wilhelmine Wedel-Jarlsberg (1753–1802) on 4 September 1781. She was a daughter of Count
Frederik Christian Otto Wedel-Jarlsberg and Sophie née Huitfeldt. She bore him a son and a daughter. She died in 1802 and was buried under a marble monument in the garden at Tirsbæk Manor. The monument features a long inscription.
After her death, he was married to Frederica Edel Benedicta Brüggemann (1777–1846), a daughter of colonel Nicolai Brüggemann and Vibeke Marie née Pentz. Their wedding took place on 19 October 1805. She bore him another son.
He was the father of a daughter and two sons. The daughter Juliane Christiane Vilhelmine Christiane Wilhelmina Benzon was married to Ferdinand Carl Maria Wedel-Jarlsberg. The son Christian Frederik Otto Benzon was married to Nielsine de Jermiin, a daughter of Niels Thomasen de Jermiin, through whom he became the owner Lønborggaardof. The younger son, Jens von Benzon, by his second wife, became an army major and post master. He was married to Sophie Marie Albertine Ahlefeldt, daughter of Cai Georg Wilhelm Ahlefeldt-Dehn and Johanne von Heinen.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benzon, Peter Frederik Ulrik
1760 births
1840 deaths
18th-century Danish landowners
County governors of Norway
Benzon family
Politicians from Denmark–Norway