Poul Skibsted

Poul Frederik (Povel Friderich) Skibsted (23 May 1753 – 21 September 1812) was a Danish Supreme Court attorney and public prosecutor general. He acted as prosecutor in the high-profile trials against Malthe Conrad Bruun and Peter Andreas Heiberg, which both resulted in them being exiled. He also functioned as director of the Danish Asiatic Company from 1789 to 1812. He was active in the time of Denmark-Norway.

Early life and education Skibsted was born in Copenhagen, the son of brewer and wholesale merchant Michael Skibsted (1699–1775) and Johanne Angelberg (1719–72). He grew up in his parents' property at Niels Hemmingsens Gade 32. He earned his Candidate of Law degree from the University of Copenhagen in 1774. The property and associated brewery was later taken over by his elder brother Andreas Skibsted (1752–1812).

Career Skibsted was already licensed as a Supreme Court attorney in 1775. His clients included many estate owners and leading merchant houses of the time. In 1789, he was appointed as public prosecutor general . He acted as prosecutor in the high-profile trials against Malthe Conrad Bruun (for Aristokraternes Catechismus) and Peter Andreas Heiberg, which both resulted in them being exiled in 1800. He also acted as prosecutor in the trial against their publisher K. H. Seidelin. As of 1793, he was also associated Copenhagen Fire Insurance Company as a consultant .