Sorø Academy
Encyclopedia
Sorø Academy is a boarding school
and public gymnasium
located in the small town of Sorø
, Denmark
. It traces its history back to the 12th century when Bishop Absalon
founded a monastery at the site, which was confiscated by the Crown after the Reformation, and ever since, on and off, it has served as an educational institution, in a variety of forms, including as a knight academy
founded by Christian IV
and a venue for higher learning during the Danish Golden Age. Danish writer and academian Ludvig Holberg
bequested most of his fortune to re-establishing the academy in 1750 after a devastating fire.
founded the Cistercian Sorø Abbey
un a remote woodlands setting on the shores of Lake Sorø on the island of Zealand. It developed into the most prominent and wealthy monastery in Denmark. After the Reformation in 1536, the Crown confiscated the Catholic Church's properties and the former abbey served first as an educational institution for Protestant
priests before Frederick II
turned it into a bording school for an equal mix of noble and non-noble bius.
Sorø Academy was founded in 1623 when Christian IV
turned the bording school into a knight academy
. Later attempts were made to transform it into a university proper but it only existed as such for about 20 years before closing in 1665.
, the old buildings were rebuilt by Lauritz de Thurah
, yet the plans did not materialize until Ludvig Holberg
, who had neither wife nor children, was persuaded to bequest his considerable fortune to the institution. The agreement which was ultimately settled upon exempted Holberg from paying taxes from the proceeds of his lands and to reach this end he was ennobled with title of Baron
.
Holberg was also consulted on the organization of the academy and the appointment of professors. Jens Schielderup Sneedorff
was appointed professor in political scineces on his reccomandation in 1751.
as a central figure. Both Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig
, Hans Christian Andersen
and Bertel Thorvaldsen
visited the Academy during this period.
which relies more on Greak than Roman architecture for its inspiration. It interior has decorative works by Georg Hilker
.
The Academy is surrounded by an English-style
park known as the Academy Garden. Located in the park is the Vænget building which contains Reformation]] whitewashed the traditional decorations of the church; recently the ancient murals have been uncovered and in part restored. Holberg is buried in the church, as are King [[Valdemar IV of Denmark's physical Physical Cabinet, one of the largest collections of scientific instruments in Europe.
Other Danes associated with the Academy include 19th century painters Frederik Vermehren
and Christen Dalsgaard
, writer Hans Christian Andersen
, sculptor Johannes Wiedewelt
who created the monument to Holberg in the Academy chapel, and geologist Hinrich Johannes Rink
.
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
and public gymnasium
Gymnasium (Denmark)
The Danish Gymnasium offers a 3-year general academically-oriented upper secondary programme which builds on the 9th-10th form of the Folkeskole and leads to the upper secondary school exit examination...
located in the small town of Sorø
Sorø
Sorø is a town in Sorø municipality in Region Sjælland on the island of Zealand in east Denmark. The population is 7,805 . The municipal council and the regional council are located in Sorø....
, 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...
. It traces its history back to the 12th century when Bishop Absalon
Absalon
Absalon was a Danish archbishop and statesman, who was the Bishop of Roskilde from 1158 to 1192 and Archbishop of Lund from 1178 until his death. He was the foremost politician and churchfather of Denmark in the second half of the 12th century, and was the closest advisor of King Valdemar I of...
founded a monastery at the site, which was confiscated by the Crown after the Reformation, and ever since, on and off, it has served as an educational institution, in a variety of forms, including as a knight academy
Knight academy
Knight academies were developed by the German aristocracy in the late seventeenth century to facilitate the ascent of Prussia as a European power. They prepared aristocratic youth for state and military service. It added to the hitherto rudimentary education of the German aristocracy natural...
founded by Christian IV
Christian IV of Denmark
Christian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
and a venue for higher learning during the Danish Golden Age. Danish writer and academian Ludvig Holberg
Ludvig Holberg
Ludvig Holberg, Baron of Holberg was a writer, essayist, philosopher, historian and playwright born in Bergen, Norway, during the time of the Dano-Norwegian double monarchy, who spent most of his adult life in Denmark. He was influenced by Humanism, the Enlightenment and the Baroque...
bequested most of his fortune to re-establishing the academy in 1750 after a devastating fire.
History
Christian IV's knight academy (1623–1665)
Sorø Academy traces its history back to 1140 when Archbishop AbsalonAbsalon
Absalon was a Danish archbishop and statesman, who was the Bishop of Roskilde from 1158 to 1192 and Archbishop of Lund from 1178 until his death. He was the foremost politician and churchfather of Denmark in the second half of the 12th century, and was the closest advisor of King Valdemar I of...
founded the Cistercian Sorø Abbey
Sorø Abbey
Sorø Abbey was the preeminent and wealthiest monastic house in all of Denmark during the Middle Ages. It was located in the town of Sorø in central Zealand.- History :...
un a remote woodlands setting on the shores of Lake Sorø on the island of Zealand. It developed into the most prominent and wealthy monastery in Denmark. After the Reformation in 1536, the Crown confiscated the Catholic Church's properties and the former abbey served first as an educational institution for Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
priests before Frederick II
Frederick II of Denmark
Frederick II was King of Denmark and Norway and duke of Schleswig from 1559 until his death.-King of Denmark:Frederick II was the son of King Christian III of Denmark and Norway and Dorothea of Saxe-Lauenburg. Frederick II stands as the typical renaissance ruler of Denmark. Unlike his father, he...
turned it into a bording school for an equal mix of noble and non-noble bius.
Sorø Academy was founded in 1623 when Christian IV
Christian IV of Denmark
Christian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
turned the bording school into a knight academy
Knight academy
Knight academies were developed by the German aristocracy in the late seventeenth century to facilitate the ascent of Prussia as a European power. They prepared aristocratic youth for state and military service. It added to the hitherto rudimentary education of the German aristocracy natural...
. Later attempts were made to transform it into a university proper but it only existed as such for about 20 years before closing in 1665.
Second academy: The Holberg era (1747-1793)
After the closure the premises continued as a school until 1737. Efforts were made to reestablish the academy and around 1740, under the reign of Christian VIChristian VI of Denmark
Christian VI was King of Denmark and Norway from 1730 to 1746.He was the son of King Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway and Louise of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. He married Sophia Magdalen of Brandenburg-Kulmbach and fathered Frederick V.-The reign and personality of Christian VI:To posterity Christian...
, the old buildings were rebuilt by Lauritz de Thurah
Lauritz de Thurah
Laurids Lauridsen de Thurah, known as Lauritz de Thurah , was a Danish architect and architectural writer. He became the most important Danish architect of the late baroque period...
, yet the plans did not materialize until Ludvig Holberg
Ludvig Holberg
Ludvig Holberg, Baron of Holberg was a writer, essayist, philosopher, historian and playwright born in Bergen, Norway, during the time of the Dano-Norwegian double monarchy, who spent most of his adult life in Denmark. He was influenced by Humanism, the Enlightenment and the Baroque...
, who had neither wife nor children, was persuaded to bequest his considerable fortune to the institution. The agreement which was ultimately settled upon exempted Holberg from paying taxes from the proceeds of his lands and to reach this end he was ennobled with title of Baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
.
Holberg was also consulted on the organization of the academy and the appointment of professors. Jens Schielderup Sneedorff
Jens Schielderup Sneedorff
Jens Schielderup Sneedorff was a Danish author, professor of political science and royal teacher and a central figure in Denmark in the Age of Enlightenment.-Biography:...
was appointed professor in political scineces on his reccomandation in 1751.
Golden Age venue
The main wing burnt down in a fire in 1813 but was rebuilt from 1822 to 1827 to the design of Peder Malling. In 1825, before the rebuilding had been completed, the Sorø Academy reopened once again. Over the next decades it became a central venue of the Danish Golden Age with Bernhard Severin IngemannBernhard Severin Ingemann
Bernhard Severin Ingemann was a Danish novelist and poet.Ingemann was born in Thorkildstrup, on the island of Falster, Denmark. The son of a vicar, he was left fatherless in his youth. While a student at the University of Copenhagen he published his first collection of poems Bernhard Severin...
as a central figure. Both Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig
Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig
Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig , most often referred to as simply N. F. S. Grundtvig, was a Danish pastor, author, poet, philosopher, historian, teacher, and politician. He was one of the most influential people in Danish history, as his philosophy gave rise to a new form of nationalism in...
, Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
and Bertel Thorvaldsen
Bertel Thorvaldsen
Bertel Thorvaldsen was a Danish-Icelandic sculptor of international fame, who spent most of his life in Italy . Thorvaldsen was born in Copenhagen into a Danish/Icelandic family of humble means, and was accepted to the Royal Academy of Arts when he was eleven years old...
visited the Academy during this period.
Main wing and gardens
The current main wing is designed by Peder Malling in a Newxlassical stuleNeoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
which relies more on Greak than Roman architecture for its inspiration. It interior has decorative works by Georg Hilker
Georg Hilker
Georg Hilker was a Danish decorative painter active during the Danish Golden Age in the first half of the 19th century. He collaborated with Constantin Hansen.-Early life and career:...
.
The Academy is surrounded by an English-style
English garden
The English garden, also called English landscape park , is a style of Landscape garden which emerged in England in the early 18th century, and spread across Europe, replacing the more formal, symmetrical Garden à la française of the 17th century as the principal gardening style of Europe. The...
park known as the Academy Garden. Located in the park is the Vænget building which contains Reformation]] whitewashed the traditional decorations of the church; recently the ancient murals have been uncovered and in part restored. Holberg is buried in the church, as are King [[Valdemar IV of Denmark's physical Physical Cabinet, one of the largest collections of scientific instruments in Europe.
Sorø Academy Foundation
The Sorø Academy Foundation (Danish: Sorø Akademis Stiftelse) owns approximately 6000 hectares of land, mainly covered by forest. The foundation also owns a number of properties in the town of Sorø.Former staff
- Reinhold TimmReinhold TimmReinhold Timm was a Danish painter. From 1619 he participated in the decoration in the Long Hall at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen with 7 or 8 large allegorical paintings of which only one, Unge mænd brydes på en bro, is signed while the others are attributed. Today they are kept at Kronborg...
(1623), drawing - Abraham WuchtersAbraham WuchtersAbraham Wuchters was a Dutch-Danish painter and engraver. He was born in Antwerp but had most of his career in Denmark where he, along with Karel van Mander III, was the preferred painter of the Danish King, nobility and Bourgeoisie during his day, together they represent the main influence from...
(1639), drawing - Johann Elias SchlegelJohann Elias SchlegelJohann Elias Schlegel , was a German critic and dramatic poet.-Life:He was educated at Schulpforta and at the University of Leipzig, where he studied law. In 1743 he became private secretary to his relative, von Spener, the Saxon ambassador at the Danish court...
(1748-1749), history, political sciences, trade sciences - Jens Schielderup SneedorffJens Schielderup SneedorffJens Schielderup Sneedorff was a Danish author, professor of political science and royal teacher and a central figure in Denmark in the Age of Enlightenment.-Biography:...
(1751), political sciences - Johann Bernhard BasedowJohann Bernhard BasedowJohann Bernhard Basedow was a German educational reformer, teacher and writer. He founded the Philanthropinum, a short-lived but influential progressive school in Dessau, and was the author of "Elementarwerk", a popular illustrated textbook for children.-Early years:Basedow was born in Hamburg,...
(1753), moral philosophy - Ove Høegh-GuldbergOve Høegh-GuldbergOve Høegh-Guldberg was a Danish statesman, historian and de facto prime minister of Denmark, 1772–1784.-Biography:...
(1761–1764), rhetoric - Johan Theodor HolmskjoldJohan Theodor HolmskjoldJohan Theodor Holmskiold was a Danish botanist, courtier and administrator.-Early life and career:Johan Theodor was born 14 June 1731 in Nyborg on the Danish island of Funen as the oldest of eight children to Nicolai Holm and Cathrine Lucie née v. Lengerchen...
(1762–1765), medicine and natural history - Bernhard Severin IngemannBernhard Severin IngemannBernhard Severin Ingemann was a Danish novelist and poet.Ingemann was born in Thorkildstrup, on the island of Falster, Denmark. The son of a vicar, he was left fatherless in his youth. While a student at the University of Copenhagen he published his first collection of poems Bernhard Severin...
(1822), Danish literature - Frederik JohnstrupFrederik JohnstrupProfessor Johannes Frederik Johnstrup , was a Danish geologist and paleontologist. He was the founder of Meddelelser om Grønland....
(1818–1894), mineralogy, natural science - Christen DalsgaardChristen DalsgaardChristen Dalsgaard was a Danish painter, a late student of Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg.- Early life and education:...
(1862–1892), drawing
Former students
- Ulrik of DenmarkUlrik of Denmark (1611–1633)Prince Ulrik of Denmark, was a son of King Christian IV of Denmark and his consort Queen Anne Catherine of Brandenburg...
(1611–1633), administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Schwerin, military - Esaias FleischerEsaias Fleischer (priest)Esaias Fleischer was a Danish priest.He was a son of pharmacist Esaias Fleischer, and of Silesian roots. He studied at Sorø Academy before enrolling at the University of Copenhagen in 1652. He was influenced by Niels Svendsen Kronich, but because of this he deviated too much from the state church,...
(1633–1697), printmaker
Students after 1825
- Hinrich Johannes RinkHinrich Johannes RinkDr. Hinrich Johannes Rink was a Danish geologist, one of the pioneers of glaciology, and the first accurate describer of the inland ice of Greenland. Rink, who first came to Greenland in 1848, spent 16 winters and 22 summers in the Arctic region, and became notable for Greenland's development...
, geologist - Frederik VermehrenFrederik VermehrenJohan Frederik Nikolai Vermehren, also known as Frederik Vermehren, , Danish realistic genre and portrait painter, was born in Ringsted to glazier Peter Frederik Nikolai Vermehren and his wife Sofie Amalie. His artistic career took place during the period of Danish art between the Golden Age of...
, painter - Carl Steen Andersen Bille, journalist, politician and civil servant
- Fredrik BajerFredrik BajerFredrik Bajer was a Danish writer, teacher, and pacifist politician who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1908....
(student 1848-54, did not graduate) - H.R. Hiort-Lorenzen, journalist and writer
- Christian Henrik ArendrupChristian Henrik ArendrupChristian Henrik Arendrup was Governor-General of The Danish West Indies, from 1881 to 1893. Arendrup was born in Frederikshavn as the son of Christian Rasmus Arendrup, councillor of Fyens Stift, and Nanna Marie Henne, the daughter of a marine Commander.In 1856, Arendrup graduated from Sorø...
, governor of the Danish West IndiesDanish West IndiesThe Danish West Indies or "Danish Antilles", were a colony of Denmark-Norway and later Denmark in the Caribbean. They were sold to the United States in 1916 in the Treaty of the Danish West Indies and became the United States Virgin Islands in 1917... - Martin NyropMartin NyropMartin Nyrop was a Danish architect who designed the Copenhagen City Hall, the Vallekilde Højskole, and the majority of the buildings for the Nordic Industrial, Agricultural and Art Exhibition.-Selected buildings:...
(attended 1859–1865), architect - Kristian ZahrtmannKristian ZahrtmannPeder Henrik Kristian Zahrtmann, known as Kristian Zahrtmann, was a Danish painter. He was a part of the Danish artistic generation in the late 19th century, along with Peder Severin Krøyer and Theodor Esbern Philipsen, who broke away from both the strictures of traditional Academicism and the...
, painter - Herman BangHerman BangHerman Joachim Bang was a Danish author, one of the men of the Modern Breakthrough.-Biography:Bang was born into a noble family of Asserballe, on the small Danish island of Als, the son of a South Jutlandic vicar...
, writer - Poul Rasmusen, politician
- Sigurd LangbergSigurd LangbergSigurd Langberg was a Danish stage and film actor.He was married to actress Karna Langberg and was the father of actors Ebbe and Jesper Langberg.- Filmography :*Barken Margrethe af Danmark...
, actor - Ebbe HamerikEbbe HamerikEbbe Hamerik was a Danish composer. Born in Copenhagen, he was the son of composer Asger Hamerik. He died at the age of 52 in Kattegat....
, composer - Hans KirkHans KirkHans Kirk was a celebrated Danish author, who penned the best-selling novel of all-time in his native Denmark, The Fishermen . Kirk was a long-time Communist Party member in Denmark and remained active until his death...
, writer - Jørgen-Frantz JacobsenJørgen-Frantz JacobsenJørgen-Frantz Jacobsen occupies a distinct place in Scandinavian literature. He is the only Faroese writer to achieve international best-seller status...
, writer - Aage Kann Rasmussen, ingeniør
- Mogens Boisen, officer and translator
- Dan Fink, businessman
- Villum Kann Rasmussen, engineer
- Hans EngellHans EngellHans Engell is a Danish former politician and journalist, who until 6 September 2007 was the editor-in-chief of the tabloid Ekstra Bladet, a position he had held for seven years...
, journalist - Hans Ole Thers, composer
- Christian Karsten HansenChristian Karsten HansenChristian Karsten Hansen, PhD is a Danish biotechnology entrepreneur and inventor, with work in new drugs, molecular biology and biochemistry.- Personal background :...
, biotechnology entrepreneur
Other Danes associated with the Academy include 19th century painters Frederik Vermehren
Frederik Vermehren
Johan Frederik Nikolai Vermehren, also known as Frederik Vermehren, , Danish realistic genre and portrait painter, was born in Ringsted to glazier Peter Frederik Nikolai Vermehren and his wife Sofie Amalie. His artistic career took place during the period of Danish art between the Golden Age of...
and Christen Dalsgaard
Christen Dalsgaard
Christen Dalsgaard was a Danish painter, a late student of Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg.- Early life and education:...
, writer Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
, sculptor Johannes Wiedewelt
Johannes Wiedewelt
Johannes Wiedewelt , Danish neoclassical sculptor, was born in Copenhagen to royal sculptor to the Danish Court, Just Wiedewelt, and his wife Birgitte Lauridsdatter...
who created the monument to Holberg in the Academy chapel, and geologist Hinrich Johannes Rink
Hinrich Johannes Rink
Dr. Hinrich Johannes Rink was a Danish geologist, one of the pioneers of glaciology, and the first accurate describer of the inland ice of Greenland. Rink, who first came to Greenland in 1848, spent 16 winters and 22 summers in the Arctic region, and became notable for Greenland's development...
.