C.L. David
Encyclopedia
C.L. David was a Danish lawyer
, businessman and art collector. Key in defining the global scale of the world's largest facilities management company ISS A/S
, he opened his art collection to the public and gave his lakeside home to the State as a summer retreat for the Prime Ministers of Denmark
.
Their great-grandfather was Joseph Nathan David (1758–1830), a Jewish wholesale
r whose fortune had enabled his son Christian Georg Nathan David (1793–1874) to study to be an economist
. Christian David converted to Christianity
and became a member of the constitutional assembly, serving as Danish Minister of Finance between 1864 and 1865.
This stable financial background enabled David and his sisters to survive the early deaths of their parents. Schooled at the Metropolitanskolen (English: Metropolitan School), he graduated in law
from the University of Copenhagen
in 1903.
, focusing on litigation. At the early age of 33, he was granted the right to plead cases before the Danish Supreme Court.
David made a name for himself with his defense of Emil Glückstadt (1875–1923), director of Landmandsbanken, which went bankrupt in 1922, causing Denmark's then biggest financial scandal.
For his services to Danish law, he was awarded the Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn
.
publishing company and the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory. This allowed him to either invest knowledgeably or negotiate a remuneration package that was in part paid in shares. It was this aspect of his life that was far more profitable than his legal career.
David's most rewarding investment was in a security
company, De Forenede Vagtselskaber
. Under his chairmanship, the company developed its services and footprint outside of Denmark to enable it to become the global facilities management company of today, ISS A/S
. Invited to invest post World War I
, in the inter-war period David became chairman and drove the company forward by acquiring security companies in Norway
and Sweden
. In 1934, a cleaning company, Det Danske Rengøringsselskab, was spawned from an idea from the then CEO. The primary service of security was provided as a person on location. So in a change of operations, instead of just watching the building, the "guard" also cleaned it. In this way two services were offered at the same time with only one employee, multiplying revenues and profits greatly.
unleashed Operation Weserübung
, the invasion of Denmark
. Unlike many other Nazi-occupied countries, the Danish institutions continued to function relatively normally until 1943. David was allowed to continue his daily life as lawyer and businessman, although because of his partly Jewish heritage, he came under attack from Danish Nazis.
In 1943, following a series of strikes and sabotage of various strategic assets and military production facilities, the Nazi authorities dissolved the Danish government. David chose to flee to neutral Sweden
, from where he continued to manage ISS on an operational as well as a strategic level.
David had housed his collection in his two homes: a townhouse at Kronprinsessegade no. 30 in central Copenhagen and his country estate, Marienborg
on Lake Bagsværd
, which he bought in 1934.
On his return from Sweden, on December 12, 1945, the collection and his home in Copenhagen became an independent institution, the C.L. David Foundation and Collection
. The actual opening was not until 1948, partly because David did not vacate the third floor until 1946, partly because the architect Ole Wanscher
had to furnish a silver room on the same floor.
As he had never married or fathered children, David left his entire estate to the C.L. David Foundation and Collection. This secured the future of the art collection, and its free access to all.
At his request, the Marienborg country estate was willed to the Danish State, to be used as the summer residence of the country’s prime or foreign minister. The State officially took over Marienborg in January 1962.
Since 1960, the exhibition space of the museum has increased significantly. The collections have continued to expand, particularly that of Islamic art, which is now the museum's largest collection, making it Scandinavia’s largest collection of Islamic art and probably one of the most important in Europe. It now consists of 4,000 Islamic works of art, including c. 350 coins, presented in 20 sections divided chronologically. There are three special galleries, which concentrate on Islamic miniatures, calligraphy, and textiles.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, businessman and art collector. Key in defining the global scale of the world's largest facilities management company ISS A/S
ISS A/S
ISS was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1901 and has since grown to become one of the leading Facility Services companies in the world. ISS offers a wide range of services within the following business areas: cleaning services, support services, property services, catering services, security...
, he opened his art collection to the public and gave his lakeside home to the State as a summer retreat for the Prime Ministers of Denmark
Prime Minister of Denmark
The Prime Minister of Denmark is the head of government in Danish politics. The Prime Minister is traditionally the leader of a political coalition in the Folketing and presides over the cabinet....
.
Biography
The only son of Magdalene Juliane née Hagen (1840–1901) and Johannes Hage Christian David, a railway engineer (1837–1890), David and his two younger sisters were born into a well-to-do family in Copenhagen.Their great-grandfather was Joseph Nathan David (1758–1830), a Jewish wholesale
Wholesale
Wholesaling, jobbing, or distributing is defined as the sale of goods or merchandise to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional, or other professional business users, or to other wholesalers and related subordinated services...
r whose fortune had enabled his son Christian Georg Nathan David (1793–1874) to study to be an economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
. Christian David converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and became a member of the constitutional assembly, serving as Danish Minister of Finance between 1864 and 1865.
This stable financial background enabled David and his sisters to survive the early deaths of their parents. Schooled at the Metropolitanskolen (English: Metropolitan School), he graduated in law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
from the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
in 1903.
Law career
On graduation, David became a practicing attorneyAttorney at law
An attorney at law in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients. Alternative terms include counselor and lawyer...
, focusing on litigation. At the early age of 33, he was granted the right to plead cases before the Danish Supreme Court.
David made a name for himself with his defense of Emil Glückstadt (1875–1923), director of Landmandsbanken, which went bankrupt in 1922, causing Denmark's then biggest financial scandal.
For his services to Danish law, he was awarded the Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn
Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn
Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn is a meritous award connected to the Danish Order of the Dannebrog...
.
Business career
Due to his legal expertise, David became either advisor or board member of several of the day’s leading Danish companies, including the GyldendalGyldendal
Gyldendal may refer to:*Gyldendal, a Danish publishing house*Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, a Norwegian publishing house founded as a demerger from the Danish one*Søren Gyldendal, the founder of the Danish publishing house...
publishing company and the Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Manufactory. This allowed him to either invest knowledgeably or negotiate a remuneration package that was in part paid in shares. It was this aspect of his life that was far more profitable than his legal career.
David's most rewarding investment was in a security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
company, De Forenede Vagtselskaber
ISS A/S
ISS was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1901 and has since grown to become one of the leading Facility Services companies in the world. ISS offers a wide range of services within the following business areas: cleaning services, support services, property services, catering services, security...
. Under his chairmanship, the company developed its services and footprint outside of Denmark to enable it to become the global facilities management company of today, ISS A/S
ISS A/S
ISS was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1901 and has since grown to become one of the leading Facility Services companies in the world. ISS offers a wide range of services within the following business areas: cleaning services, support services, property services, catering services, security...
. Invited to invest post World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, in the inter-war period David became chairman and drove the company forward by acquiring security companies in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. In 1934, a cleaning company, Det Danske Rengøringsselskab, was spawned from an idea from the then CEO. The primary service of security was provided as a person on location. So in a change of operations, instead of just watching the building, the "guard" also cleaned it. In this way two services were offered at the same time with only one employee, multiplying revenues and profits greatly.
World War II
On 9 April 1940, Nazi GermanyNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
unleashed Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
, the invasion of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Unlike many other Nazi-occupied countries, the Danish institutions continued to function relatively normally until 1943. David was allowed to continue his daily life as lawyer and businessman, although because of his partly Jewish heritage, he came under attack from Danish Nazis.
In 1943, following a series of strikes and sabotage of various strategic assets and military production facilities, the Nazi authorities dissolved the Danish government. David chose to flee to neutral Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, from where he continued to manage ISS on an operational as well as a strategic level.
The David Collection
As a bachelor with a good income, David had started an art collection. He focused the core on fine and applied arts from the 18th century, a small group of works of art from the Islamic world based around medieval ceramics, and a collection of contemporary Danish art from the first half of the 20th century.David had housed his collection in his two homes: a townhouse at Kronprinsessegade no. 30 in central Copenhagen and his country estate, Marienborg
Marienborg
Marienborg is the summer residence of Denmark's Prime Minister, and is frequently used for official purposes. It is situated on the shore of Lake Bagsværd in Kongens Lyngby, north of Copenhagen in North Zealand.-Private History:...
on Lake Bagsværd
Lake Bagsværd
Lake Bagsværd is a lake in Northeastern Zealand, Denmark. After Furesø, it is the second largest lake in the Mølleå system. The lake provides drainage for the Mølleåen via Furå to Lyngby lake....
, which he bought in 1934.
On his return from Sweden, on December 12, 1945, the collection and his home in Copenhagen became an independent institution, the C.L. David Foundation and Collection
The David Collection
The David Collection is a museum of fine and applied art in Copenhagen, Denmark, built around the private collections of lawyer, businessman and art collector C.L. David....
. The actual opening was not until 1948, partly because David did not vacate the third floor until 1946, partly because the architect Ole Wanscher
Ole Wanscher
Ole Wanscher was a Danish furniture designer. He was one of the leading figures in the Scandinavian Design movement , at a time when Scandinavian Design achieved worldwide popularity....
had to furnish a silver room on the same floor.
Death
David died in Copenhagen on April 18, 1960. He was buried at Marienborg.As he had never married or fathered children, David left his entire estate to the C.L. David Foundation and Collection. This secured the future of the art collection, and its free access to all.
At his request, the Marienborg country estate was willed to the Danish State, to be used as the summer residence of the country’s prime or foreign minister. The State officially took over Marienborg in January 1962.
Since 1960, the exhibition space of the museum has increased significantly. The collections have continued to expand, particularly that of Islamic art, which is now the museum's largest collection, making it Scandinavia’s largest collection of Islamic art and probably one of the most important in Europe. It now consists of 4,000 Islamic works of art, including c. 350 coins, presented in 20 sections divided chronologically. There are three special galleries, which concentrate on Islamic miniatures, calligraphy, and textiles.