Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen | |
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![]() Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen in 1920 | |
Born | Sarpsborg, Norway | 15 December 1865
Died | 16 January 1960 | (aged 94)
Nationality | Norwegian |
Occupation | ship owner |
Children | Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen John Ditlev-Simonsen Sverre Ditlev-Simonsen |
Awards |
Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen (15 December 1865 – 16 January 1960) was a Norwegian ship owner who developed one of the largest shipping companies in Norway.
Ditlev-Simonsen was born in Sarpsborg to Ole Christian Simonsen and Christiane Dorthea Christiansen.[1] He was the father of Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen Jr (1897–1978),[2] father of Sverre Ditlev-Simonsen,[3] and grandfather of politician Per Ditlev-Simonsen (minister of defense and mayor of Oslo).[2][4]
Ditlev-Simonsen developed one of the largest shipping companies in Norway, together with three of his sons. He was also active in organizational work, and was a board member of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association, Kristiania Rederiforening, Oslo chamber of commerce and the Port Board of Oslo.[2] He was elected member of the municipal council of Kristiania, and served as vice mayor 1914–1915.[5] In this position he was quite busy with the 1914 Jubilee Exhibition at Frogner and Skarpsno.[2] The maritime part of the exhibition laid the foundation for the Norwegian Maritime Museum. Ditlev-Simonsen was a proponent for the establishment of the museum, and became a member of the board from 1915.[2] He was chairman of the board from 1922 to 1933.[6]
He chaired the board of Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende from 1911 to 1939, and chaired the board of Det Søndenfjelds-Norske Dampskibsselskab from 1924 to 1940.[2]
He was decorated Knight, First Class of the Order of St. Olav in 1939, and was Commander of the Order of Vasa.[2]
Ditlev-Simonsen was an eager sports sailor, and had the two cutters Vav and Isabel Alexandra.[6]