11 Facts About Thoning Owesen

Thoning Owesen was raised in the household of his maternal grandparents as their son, and his uncles and aunts, despite being of varying ages, were sibling-like figures to him.

Thoning Owesen never saw his father again as a result of the Gunboat War preventing sea travel from Ireland to Norway, and, on his father's death in 1812, when he was 8 years old, he inherited his father's estate, consisting of money, property and a prominent shipping business.

Thoning Owesen began his education at Foyle College in 1814 alongside his uncle James Allingham and Henry Montgomery Lawrence.

Thoning Owesen returned to Trondheim on holiday with his uncle Edward Allingham in 1819, whereupon he was welcomed by his father's old friends and is said to have been convinced that Norway was his home.

Two years later, in 1822, Thoning Owesen permanently relocated to Trondheim.

Thoning Owesen owned 20,000 acres of forest in Tiller Municipality, Selbu Municipality, and Tydal Municipality.

Whilst being a conscientious landowner and respectful of his tenants, Thoning Owesen was influential in public and social life.

Thoning Owesen became a member of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters in 1858.

Thoning Owesen is widely remembered for his philanthropy both during and after his lifetime.

Thoning Owesen left a total of 528,780.58 Norwegian krone to causes including a children's home, restoration of Nidaros Cathedral, other religious causes, local causes and the benefit of the poor.

Many of the causes to which Thoning Owesen donated still benefit from his financial legacy today.