Wilhelm Wanscher

Wilhelm Wanscer (21 April 1802 4 December 1882) was a Danish paper merchant and art collector, remembered above all for his associations with the philosopher Søren Kirkegård and some of the leading Danish Golden Age artists. He was the father of surgeon Oscar Wanscher and industrialist Axel Wanscher, grandfather of art historian and great-grandfather of the designer Ole Wanscher.

Early life and education Wanscher was born on 21 April 1802 in Copenhagen, the son of Christopher Wanscher (16591841) and Karen Smidt (18671841). His father was a paper merchant based in Gothersgade.

Career Wanscher was licensed as a wholesale merchant in 1833 and started his own business the same year. It was based in the old Weisenhuset building at Købmagergade 44 (then Rosenborg Quarter, No. 6). He was the first external distributor of paper products from Strandmøllen north of Copenhagen. He was one of the largest suppliers of paper products to the Danish state. His other customers included the newspaper Adresseavisen and the book printer Bianco Luno.

Personal life

Wanscher married Karen Johanne Juliane Wegener (18161879) on 19 May 1834 in Værløse Church.

He also had a friendly relation with the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. He was introduced to him by Kierkegaard's cousin (and his own neighbor, Rosenborg Quarter No. 7 ), Johan Christian Lund (1799–1875), a silk merchant and politician, from whom he rented the country house Tolvkanten north of Copenhagen.

Death and legacy Wanscher died on 4 December 1882. The funeral took place on 9 December in the Church of the Holy Ghost. He was survived by seven of his children: Axel Wanscher (1848–1877) was a prominent industrialist. He was married to Arngoth Dorothea Petronella Christine Laub (cousin of Thomas Laub)

In 1912, Nanna Wanscher published her childhood memoirs as .