Lauritz Jenssen

Lauritz Jenssen (25 March 1837 – 7 June 1899) was a Norwegian businessperson and politician. A part of a notable business family based in and around Trondhjem, Jenssen founded Ranheims Papirfabrik, and also served one term in the Parliament of Norway.

Personal life He was born in Ranheim as a son of businessman Lauritz Dorenfeldt Jenssen (1801–1859) and his wife Karen Amalie Hagerup (1811–1890). He was a brother-in-law of Jens Jenssen, grandson of businessman Matz Jenssen and nephew of Jens Nicolai and Hans Peter Jenssen. Through his mother he was a first cousin of Prime Minister Francis Hagerup, Their sons Hans Jørgen Darre-Jenssen and Worm Hirsch Darre-Jenssen both entered national politics; serving as Minister of Labour in the early twentieth century. Another son Lauritz Jenssen Dorenfeldt was a notable engineer, and had a son also named Lauritz Jenssen Dorenfeldt, a notable jurist and a daughter Margot Dorenfeldt Holtan, who in 1919 became the first woman to graduate as chemical engineer from Norwegian Institute of Technology.

Career Ranheim, the farm where Lauritz Jenssen was born, He also served as mayor of Strinden Municipality in 1888 and 1889, and was a member of the municipal council for many years, starting in 1870.

Jenssen co-founded and chaired the local branch of the Association of Hunters and Anglers. He was also among the proponents for the establishment of the Norwegian Institute of Technology. It was rejected during his lifetime but finally established in 1910.

Legacy Jenssen was a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters from 1869, and was decorated as a Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav and as a Knight of the Order of Vasa. A street in Strinda was named after him in 1932. The factory he founded still exists.