Jacob Brønnum Scavenius Estrup
Encyclopedia
Jacob Brønnum Scavenius Estrup, (16 April 1825 – 24 December 1913), was a Danish
politician
, member of the Højre
party. He was Interior Minister from 1865 to 1869 in the Cabinet of Frijs and Council President as well as Finance Minister
from 1875 to 1894 as the leader of the Cabinet of Estrup.
As Interior Minister in the Cabinet of Frijs Estrup took control of the railroads of Jutland
and Funen
, which had been ceded to an English consortium in 1861. He expanded the railroads in Vendsyssel
and built new lines from Skanderborg
to Silkeborg
and along the west coast of Jutland to Esbjerg
, earning him the nickname "Railway Minister". He also built up the harbour in Esbjerg, which turned into an important center for exports. In 1869 he was forced to step down from his post because of health problems.
In 1875 Estrup was able to replace Christen Andreas Fonnesbech as Council President and form the Cabinet of Estrup. Estrup himself also took the post as Finance Minister
, perhaps the most important post as Denmark was economically worn down after the Second War of Schleswig
. In 1877 Estrup was unable to secure support for his budget bill in Folketinget, as demanded by the Danish Constitution
, but chose instead to issue it as a provisional law
. This happened repeatedly in the years 1885 to 1894, the socalled provisorietid. Among others he was opposed by the Venstre
leaders Christen Berg
and Viggo Hørup
.
When an assassination attempt failed on 21 October 1885, Estrup responded by passing various laws restricting the press, restricting the right to own arms, and broadening the powers of the police.
In 1894, Venstre
and Estrup's Højre
cooperated to pass a budget bill, and Estrup resigned. He would not hold any future offices as minister, but retained significant influence in the following governments formed by Højre.
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, member of the Højre
Højre
Højre was the name of two Danish political parties of Conservative persuasion.The first Højre party existed from 1848 to 1866....
party. He was Interior Minister from 1865 to 1869 in the Cabinet of Frijs and Council President as well as Finance Minister
Finance Minister of Denmark
The Finance Minister of Denmark is the head of the Ministry of Finance of Denmark, and a member of the Cabinet. As head of the ministry, the minister has responsibility for the ministry's tasks of administrering the state finances via the fiscal policy, and making economic predictions and...
from 1875 to 1894 as the leader of the Cabinet of Estrup.
Biography
Estrup was son of the landowner Hector Frederik Janson Estrup, and inherited the estate Kongsdal in Holbæk amt in 1846. In 1852 he also bought the estate Skafføgård in Randers amt.As Interior Minister in the Cabinet of Frijs Estrup took control of the railroads of Jutland
Jutland
Jutland , historically also called Cimbria, is the name of the peninsula that juts out in Northern Europe toward the rest of Scandinavia, forming the mainland part of Denmark. It has the North Sea to its west, Kattegat and Skagerrak to its north, the Baltic Sea to its east, and the Danish–German...
and Funen
Funen
Funen , with a size of 2,984 km² , is the third-largest island of Denmark following Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy, and the 163rd largest island of the world. Funen is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 454,358 inhabitants . The main city is Odense, connected to the...
, which had been ceded to an English consortium in 1861. He expanded the railroads in Vendsyssel
Vendsyssel
Vendsyssel is the northernmost traditional district of Denmark and of Jutland. Being divided from mainland Jutland by the Limfjord, it is technically a part of the North Jutlandic Island. Vendsyssel is part of the North Denmark Region....
and built new lines from Skanderborg
Skanderborg
Skanderborg, with a population of 18,253 , is a town in Denmark just southwest of Aarhus. It is more or less a suburb today, located in Skanderborg municipality, Jutland.Skanderborg municipality has a population of 57,303 ....
to Silkeborg
Silkeborg
Silkeborg is a city in central Denmark. Located in Silkeborg municipality in Jutland, the city has a population of 42,724 . The development of Silkeborg as a modern city may be traced to the foundation of the paper mill by Michael Drewsen on the Gudenaa in 1844...
and along the west coast of Jutland to Esbjerg
Esbjerg
Esbjerg Municipality is a municipality in Region of Southern Denmark on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in southwest Denmark. Its mayor is Johnny Søtrup, from the Venstre political party...
, earning him the nickname "Railway Minister". He also built up the harbour in Esbjerg, which turned into an important center for exports. In 1869 he was forced to step down from his post because of health problems.
In 1875 Estrup was able to replace Christen Andreas Fonnesbech as Council President and form the Cabinet of Estrup. Estrup himself also took the post as Finance Minister
Finance Minister of Denmark
The Finance Minister of Denmark is the head of the Ministry of Finance of Denmark, and a member of the Cabinet. As head of the ministry, the minister has responsibility for the ministry's tasks of administrering the state finances via the fiscal policy, and making economic predictions and...
, perhaps the most important post as Denmark was economically worn down after the Second War of Schleswig
Second War of Schleswig
The Second Schleswig War was the second military conflict as a result of the Schleswig-Holstein Question. It began on 1 February 1864, when Prussian forces crossed the border into Schleswig.Denmark fought Prussia and Austria...
. In 1877 Estrup was unable to secure support for his budget bill in Folketinget, as demanded by the Danish Constitution
Constitution of Denmark
The Constitutional Act of Denmark is the Kingdom of Denmark's constitution, or fundamental law. Originally verified in 1849, the last revision was signed on 5 June 1953 as "the existing law, for all to unswerving comply with, the Constitutional Act of Denmark".-Idea and structure:The main...
, but chose instead to issue it as a provisional law
Provisional law
A provisional law is an ordinance passed by the Norwegian cabinet in agreement with article 17 of the Norwegian constitution...
. This happened repeatedly in the years 1885 to 1894, the socalled provisorietid. Among others he was opposed by the Venstre
Venstre (Denmark)
VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark...
leaders Christen Berg
Christen Berg
Christen Poulsen Berg was a Danish liberal politician and editor. Often just referred to as “C. Berg”....
and Viggo Hørup
Viggo Hørup
Viggo Lauritz Bentheim Hørup , was a Danish politician, journalist and agitator.He was the father to Ellen Hørup .One of the most influential politicians of the Danish non-Socialist left wing....
.
When an assassination attempt failed on 21 October 1885, Estrup responded by passing various laws restricting the press, restricting the right to own arms, and broadening the powers of the police.
In 1894, Venstre
Venstre (Denmark)
VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark...
and Estrup's Højre
Højre
Højre was the name of two Danish political parties of Conservative persuasion.The first Højre party existed from 1848 to 1866....
cooperated to pass a budget bill, and Estrup resigned. He would not hold any future offices as minister, but retained significant influence in the following governments formed by Højre.