Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann

Heinrich Carl von Schimmelmann (13 July 1724 – 16 February 1782) was a German-born Danish merchant, banker, politician and nobleman. He was the largest Danish slave owner and slave trader, owning over 1,000 slaves on his plantations in the Danish-owned West Indies. He became one of the absolute richest people in Denmark and, among other things, owned the Odd Fellow Palace. During the Seven Years' War, he speculated heavily on currency debasement in close association with his business partner Abel Seyler. After supporting Denmark–Norway as the head of the banking system in Denmark, he was rewarded by becoming a member of the Danish nobility. Eventually, he became a plantation owner (and slave owner) and Danish finance minister. From 1774 onwards, von Schimmelmann was involved in the project of digging the Eider Canal. He died in 1782.