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The Classen Library, ( Danish: Det Classenske Bibliotek) was a public library in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was created from the private book collection of Johan Frederik Classen, at the time of his death in 1792. It was the third largest library in the city, surpassed only by the Royal Danish Library and Copenhagen University Library and existed until 1867 when it was merged with the latter.
Its building at 38, Amaliegade now houses ''Det Konserveringsfaglige Videncenter'', a centre for conservation. It was listed in 1918.
The successful industrialist and landowner Johan Frederik Classen was an enthusiastic bibliophile, buying books both at home and abroad, until he had a library. At the time of his death, he left his book collection to the public. It consisted of some 20,000 volumes. The library was to receive an annual sum of 3,000 rigsdaler from the Classenske Fideicommis, a charitable foundation which he set up in his will. Classen's brother,
Classenske Bibliotek
at arkark.dk
Images
from works
{{Authority control 1792 establishments in Denmark 1867 disestablishments Buildings and structures completed in 1802 Buildings and structures of the Classen family Libraries established in 1792 Libraries in Copenhagen Listed buildings and structures in Copenhagen
History
Site history
The site was formerly part of the vast Sophie Amalienborg garden. Rgus karge property was listed in Copenhagen's new cadastre of 1756 as No. 61 in St. Ann's East Quarter. The property known as Amaliegade 38 was later referred to as No. 71 B. It was marked as No. 1340 on Christian Gedde's 1756 map of St. Ann's East Quarter.Classen
The successful industrialist and landowner Johan Frederik Classen was an enthusiastic bibliophile, buying books both at home and abroad, until he had a library. At the time of his death, he left his book collection to the public. It consisted of some 20,000 volumes. The library was to receive an annual sum of 3,000 rigsdaler from the Classenske Fideicommis, a charitable foundation which he set up in his will. Classen's brother, Peter Hersleb Classen
Peter Hersleb Classen, frequently also P. H. Classen, (10 March 1738 –19 May 1825) was a Norwegian-Danish statesman and director of Det Classenske Fideicommis.
Career
Classen was born in Christiania, Norway. After completing schooling in Chris ...
, paid for the construction of a library building in Amaliegade, opposite Frederick's Hospital and not far from Amalienborg Palace. The library's collections grew to about 30,000 volumes in the middle of the 19th century.
In 1867 the library was merged with Copenhagen University Library which changed its name to ''Københavns Universitetsbibliotek og det dermed forenede Classenske Bibliotek''.
Architecture
The library was built to Peter Hersleb Classen's own design, presumably assisted by Andreas Kirkerup. The facade has rustication on the ground floor and a loggia with eight columns, showing influence from Ancient Roman architecture. The central library hall is two storeys high and surrounded by double galleries. It contains a bust of Classen.Today
Today the building houses ''Konserveringsfagligt Videncenter'' (KViC), the library of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts' School of Conservation.See also
*Den Classenske Legatskole
Den may refer to:
* Den (room), a small room in a house
* Maternity den, a lair where an animal gives birth
Media and entertainment
* ''Den'' (album), 2012, by Kreidler
* Den (''Battle Angel Alita''), a character in the ''Battle Angel Alit ...
References
External links
Classenske Bibliotek
at arkark.dk
Images
from works
{{Authority control 1792 establishments in Denmark 1867 disestablishments Buildings and structures completed in 1802 Buildings and structures of the Classen family Libraries established in 1792 Libraries in Copenhagen Listed buildings and structures in Copenhagen