Otto Thott (13 October 1703 – 10 September 1785) was a Danish Count, minister of state, and land owner. During his lifetime, he acquired Gavnø Castle and one of the largest private collections of book and manuscripts in Denmark.[1][2]
He was the son of Tage Thott (1648–1707), a member of the Danish Privy Council and county governor of Holbæk. After the death of his father, his mother, Petra Sophie Reedtz (1675–1720) sold the manor at Turebyholm and moved with him to Sorø, where he attended school. After the death of his mother, he was supported financially by several aunts and was able to continue his education and development abroad.[3][4]
He lived for a time in Halle, where he studied history, philosophy and Jurisprudence at the University of Halle-Wittenberg. He continued these studies in the University of Jena and later during his stays in the Netherlands, England and France. Additionally, he made the acquaintance of several scientists in the various towns where he stayed and managed to acquire a number of valuable manuscripts and books.
Careeredit
In 1723, upon his return to Denmark, he obtained a secretary position in the Danish Chancellery. On 30 August 1746 he came to lead the College of Finance as the 1st deputy, a post he held until 6 December 1759. He led during a time in which he succeeded in paying down the government debt. In 1758 he join the State Council (gehejmekonseillet). In February 1763, he succeeded Johan Ludvig Holstein as Minister of Finance and secretary of the Danish Chancellor. [5][6]
In 1737, Otto Thott bought St. Agnes' Priory on the island of Gavnø. From 1755–1758, he modernized the estate turning it into the rococo palace later known as Gavnø Castle. [7]
Otto Thott acquired most of the library of Edward Harley (1689–1741) after the latter's death.[8] The library of Otto Thott contained 138,000 volumes at his death in 1785.[9][10] It was one of the largest private libraries of the 18th century in Denmark.[11]
The Royal Danish Library in Copenhagen received 4,154 manuscripts and 6,159 early printed books, of which 1,500 were incunabula.[12] Further, the library bought about 60,000 volumes at the auction sale.[9][13]
Personal lifeedit
In 1732, he married Birgitte Charlotte Kruse (1711–1781) a daughter of Major General Ulrik Christian Kruse (1666–1727). Otto Thott died during 1785. Both he and his wife were buried at Sorø Klosterkirke.[14][15]
Catalogues of Otto Thott collection of books available at Google Books.
Collectors' bindings
Bibliotheca Thottiana: INDEX CODICUM MANUSCRIPTORUM • Introduction
External linksedit
Gavnø Castle website
January 01, 1970
otto, thott, october, 1703, september, 1785, danish, count, minister, state, land, owner, during, lifetime, acquired, gavnø, castle, largest, private, collections, book, manuscripts, denmark, 1703, 1785, portrait, andreas, brünniche, gavnø, castle, contents, e. Otto Thott 13 October 1703 10 September 1785 was a Danish Count minister of state and land owner During his lifetime he acquired Gavno Castle and one of the largest private collections of book and manuscripts in Denmark 1 2 Otto Thott 1703 1785 portrait by Andreas Brunniche Gavno Castle Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Book collector 4 Personal life 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksEarly life and education editHe was the son of Tage Thott 1648 1707 a member of the Danish Privy Council and county governor of Holbaek After the death of his father his mother Petra Sophie Reedtz 1675 1720 sold the manor at Turebyholm and moved with him to Soro where he attended school After the death of his mother he was supported financially by several aunts and was able to continue his education and development abroad 3 4 He lived for a time in Halle where he studied history philosophy and Jurisprudence at the University of Halle Wittenberg He continued these studies in the University of Jena and later during his stays in the Netherlands England and France Additionally he made the acquaintance of several scientists in the various towns where he stayed and managed to acquire a number of valuable manuscripts and books Career editIn 1723 upon his return to Denmark he obtained a secretary position in the Danish Chancellery On 30 August 1746 he came to lead the College of Finance as the 1st deputy a post he held until 6 December 1759 He led during a time in which he succeeded in paying down the government debt In 1758 he join the State Council gehejmekonseillet In February 1763 he succeeded Johan Ludvig Holstein as Minister of Finance and secretary of the Danish Chancellor 5 6 Shortly after King Frederick V s accession to the throne he had received the Order of the Dannebrog and in 1747 was made a member of the Danish Privy Council In 1752 Dowager Queen Sophie Magdalene 1700 1770 awarded him the Ordre de l Union Parfaite Book collector editIn 1737 Otto Thott bought St Agnes Priory on the island of Gavno From 1755 1758 he modernized the estate turning it into the rococo palace later known as Gavno Castle 7 Otto Thott acquired most of the library of Edward Harley 1689 1741 after the latter s death 8 The library of Otto Thott contained 138 000 volumes at his death in 1785 9 10 It was one of the largest private libraries of the 18th century in Denmark 11 The Royal Danish Library in Copenhagen received 4 154 manuscripts and 6 159 early printed books of which 1 500 were incunabula 12 Further the library bought about 60 000 volumes at the auction sale 9 13 Personal life editIn 1732 he married Birgitte Charlotte Kruse 1711 1781 a daughter of Major General Ulrik Christian Kruse 1666 1727 Otto Thott died during 1785 Both he and his wife were buried at Soro Klosterkirke 14 15 See also editDaniel Gotthilf Moldenhawer Thott Palace GavnoReferences edit Magne Njastad Otto Thott Store norske leksikon Retrieved January 1 2019 Gavno Castle denmark net Retrieved January 1 2019 Turebyholm danskeherregaarde dk Retrieved January 1 2019 E Holm Thott Otto i 1 at the Dansk biografisk leksikon p 336 Magne Njastad Johan Ludvig Holstein Store norske leksikon Retrieved January 1 2019 E Holm Thott Otto i 1 at the Dansk biografisk leksikon p 338 Gavno Gods gavnoe dk Retrieved January 1 2019 Private ownership marks a b Allen Kent Encyclopedia of library and information science Volume 42 New York 1987 p 236 According to Dansk biografisk leksikon p 341 more than 120 000 volumes according to other sources more than 200 000 volumes Institute The European Library E Holm Thott Otto i 1 at the Dansk biografisk leksikon p 342 K C Rockstroh Ulrik Christian Kruse Dansk Biografisk Leksikon Gyldendal Retrieved January 1 2019 Soro Klosterkirke visitdenmark com Retrieved January 1 2019 Further reading editE Holm Thott Otto i 1 at the Dansk biografisk leksikon pp 336 342 Catalogues of Otto Thott collection of books available at Google Books Collectors bindings Bibliotheca Thottiana INDEX CODICUM MANUSCRIPTORUM IntroductionExternal links editGavno Castle website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Otto Thott amp oldid 1191860804, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
