Frederik Christian Adeler

Frederik Christian Adeler (13 October 1668 – 19 April 1726) was a Danish privy councillor, county governor and major landowner. He was the father of Frederik Adeler and Theodor Lente-Adeler

Frederik Christian Adeler

Early life and education

Adeler was born on 13 October 1668 in Copenhagen, the son of admiral Cort Adeler and Anna Pelt. His mother's uncle was Abraham Pelt. He received a thorough education. In 1687–90, he went on a Grand Tour in Europe.^[1]

Career

King Christian V presiding over the Supreme Court in 1697. Adeler is one of the judges seen in the picture.

In 1688, Adeler was appointed court page (hofjunker). In 1690, he was promoted to kammerjunker. In 1694, he accompanied Frederick IV on his journey to Norway.^[1] On 8 September 1694, Adeler was appointed Supreme Court justice. In the same year, he acquired Dragsholm on western Zealand.^[2]

In 1712–14, he was a member (deputeret) of Søetatens Kommissariat. On 1 September 1713, he was appointed 1st Financial Councillor (1ste Deputeret for Finanserne). On 11 December, he was created a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog.^[2]

On 5 July 1717, he was appointed stiftsbefalingsmand of Zealand and county governor of Roskilde and Tryggevælde counties. Crown prince Christian (V) attended his baptism. He received a thorough education.^[2]

Property

In 1604, Adeler bought Dragsholm at a very low price from a Jewish merchant.^[3] In 1719, he also bought nearby Sæbygård and Egemarke. From his father, he inherited Bratsberg and Gimsø kloster in Norway as well as the Adeler House on Strandgade in Christianshavn.

Awards

On 8 September, Adeler was awarded the title of justitsråd. On 7 January 1700, he was promoted to etatsråd. On 6 September 1713, he was appointed Geheimeraad. On 26 October 1712, he was created a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog.^[2]

Personal life

Henriette Margarethe von Lente (1676 - 1703).

On 20 September 1794, he was married to Henriette Margrete Lente. She was a daughter of øøgeheimeraad Johan Hugo Lente and Hustru Margrete von Bornefeldt.^[2]

In 1721, he retired from his public offices due to poor health. He died on 19 April 1726.^[2] He was buried in Our Lady's Church.

He had seven children. His three eldest sons died without issue. Dragsholm was therefore passed to their younger brother, Frederik Adeler, who also owned Algestrup in Føllenslev Parish. A fourth brother, Theodor Adeler, who owned Lykkesholm Manor on Funen, served as county governor of Nyborg and Tranekær counties. Their sister Charlotte Amalie Amalia Adeler (1703 – 1724) was married to Lars Benzon.^[2]