Rudolf Fredrik Olsen (29 September 1882 – 26 January 1951) was a

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

shipping magnate and Chairman of Fred. Olsen & Co.

Biography

Rudolf Fredrik Olsen was born in

Hvitsten Hvitsten is a former town in Akershus county, Norway, located between Drøbak and Son. It is the smallest town that has ever existed in Norway: In 1951 it had 76 inhabitants, and an area of just 0.07 km2. Due its size it could not be establi ...

, in Akershus county,

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...

. He was the son of Thomas Frederick (Fred.) Olsen (1857-1933). Olsen was educated in

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

and

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

. Olsen worked in the family firm, Fred. Olsen & Co. dating from 1914. Together with his brother

Thomas Fredrik Olsen Thomas Fredrik Olsen (1897–1969) was a Norway, Norwegian ship-owner. Son of Thomas Fredrik Olsen (born 1857), Fredrik Olsen and born in Hvitsten, he worked in the family company Fred. Olsen & Co. from 1920. He held a board position in a range of ...

, he was a partner from 1922. After their father's death in 1933, the brothers took over as leaders of the company. From 1933 he was CEO of the firm. During his leadership, the company expanded, entering the aviation business with its own airline Fred. Olsen Flyselskap. In addition it obtained partial ownership interests in

Scandinavian Airlines System Scandinavian Airlines, more commonly known and styled as SAS, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. ''SAS'' is an abbreviation of the company's full name, Scandinavian Airlines System or legally Scandinavian Airlines System Denmark ...

, Widerøe's Flyveselskap AS and Sterling Airlines A/S. Olsen held a board position in a range of companies, including Det Norske Luftfartselskap. From 1917, Olsen was Consul General to Norway from

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

. In 1938, Olsen was appointed a Knight of the 1st Class of the Order of St. Olav. He was also appointed commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy and the Order of the Crown (Belgium), was an officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and knight of the

Order of the White Rose of Finland The Order of the White Rose of Finland ( fi, Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun ritarikunta; sv, Finlands Vita Ros’ orden) is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, and the Order of the Lion of Finland. ...

. ''Obituary of Rudolf Fredrik Olsen'' (''

Verdens Gang ''Verdens Gang'' ("The course of the world"), generally known under the abbreviation ''VG'', is a Norwegian tabloid newspaper. In 2016, circulation numbers stood at 93,883, having declined from a peak circulation of 390,510 in 2002. ''VG'' is n ...

'', 15 February 1951)

References

Other sources

*Nygaard, K. M. (1999) ''Fra seilskip av tre til dampskip i linjefart. Fred. Olsens rederivirksomhet 1886–1904'' (University of Oslo) 1882 births 1951 deaths People from Vestby Norwegian businesspeople in shipping Norwegian Air Lines people Officers of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Commanders of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) {{shipping-bio-stub