Royal Danish Society for Fatherland History

The Royal Danish Society for Fatherland History (Danish: Det Kongelige Danske Selskab for Fædrelandets Historie) is a Danish scholarly society founded on 8 January 1745 by Jacob Langebek. According to its official website, Langebek established "a small society of good friends" with the aim of exploring Denmark's history. The society later received royal support and acquired its very long formal name; in everyday speech it is often called "Danske Selskab" or "Fædrelandet." It still exists and continues to work toward the same purpose. The society's most important activity is publishing sources on Danish history so that they become accessible to research. Smaller sources are printed in the journal Danske Magazin, while larger sources appear as standalone books. All volumes of Danske Magazin and some books can be read online through the society's website. The site also provides a systematic index to Danske Magazin covering 1745–2019, other online publications, and a shop for printed journal issues and books. The society is led by a director (Föreståndare) and a secretary (Sekreterare), with long lists of officeholders recorded from the 18th century onward. Its first director was Jacob Langebek, who served from 8 January 1745 until 16 August 1775. Later directors include Peter Friderich Suhm, Laurids Engelstoft, Johannes Steenstrup, and Niels-Knud Liebgott, among many others. Secretaries have included Jonas Ramus, Erich Christian Werlauff, Carl Frederik Bricka, and Erik Nørr. As a scholarly academy rather than a commercial company, the society operates in the field of historical research and publishing. Its flagship publication, Danske Magazin, has been issued since the 18th century and remains a central outlet for Danish historical source material. The society is based in Denmark and serves the Danish research community and broader public interested in national history.

The Royal Danish Society for Fatherland History was founded on 8 January 1745 by Jacob Langebek, who according to the society's official website established "a small society of good friends" to explore Denmark's history. The society later received royal support and adopted its long formal name. In everyday usage it is known as "Danske Selskab" or "Fædrelandet." Its core mission from the beginning has been the publication of sources on Danish history. The society's principal publication, Danske Magazin, has been issued since the 18th century. Smaller source materials are printed in the journal, while larger source collections are published as standalone books. The society also maintains a systematic index to Danske Magazin covering 1745–2019 and makes all journal volumes and some books available online. Leadership has been continuous since the founding. Jacob Langebek served as director from 8 January 1745 until 16 August 1775. He was followed by a long line of directors, including Henrik Hielmstierne (apparently together with Bolle Willum Luxdorph, 1776–1780), Peter Friderich Suhm (1781–1798), Michael Treschow (1798–1816), Abraham Kall (1816–1821), Ove Malling (1821–1829), Laurids Engelstoft (1829–1851), Caspar Frederik Wegener (1851–1866), Peder Goth Thorsen (1866–1882), Christian Bruun (1882–1892), Peter Edvard Holm (1892–1915), Johannes Steenstrup (1915–1935), Aage Friis (1935–1945), Knud Fabricius (1945–1960), Holger Hjelholt (1960–1965), Povl Bagge (1965–1975), Svend Ellehøj (1975–1985), Kristian Hvidt (1985–1995), Vagn Skovgaard-Petersen (1995–2005), and Niels-Knud Liebgott (from 2005). Secretaries have also served continuously. Jonas Ramus was secretary from 8 January 1745 until his death on 28 August 1765. Later secretaries include Bertel Christian Sandvig (1781–1786), Jens Jacob Weber (1786–1805), Erich Christian Werlauff (1806–1813), Iver Qvistgaard (1813–1817), Frederik Vilhelm Casper Benzon (1817–1824), Janus Lauritz Andreas Kolderup-Rosenvinge (1824–1839), Niels Matthias Petersen (1839–1848), Caspar Frederik Wegener (1848–1851), Tyge Alexander Becker (1851–1860), Michael Nicolai Christopher Kall Rasmussen (1860–1863), Christian Ulrik Adolph Plesner (1863–1882), Carl Frederik Bricka (1882–1903), Anders Thiset (1903–1917), Laurs Rasmus Laursen (1917–1936), Jørgen Olrik (1936–1941), Bjørn Kornerup (1941–1950), Fridlev Skrubbeltrang (1950–1955), Georg Galster (1955–1965), Sigurd Jensen (1965–1970), Viggo Sjøqvist (1970–1980), Kai Hørby (1980–1990), Esben Albrectsen (1990–1995), Jørgen Steen Jensen (1995–2000), and Erik Nørr (from 2000). The society remains active in the present day, continuing its original purpose of making Danish historical sources accessible to research and the public.

• 2005

  Niels-Knud Liebgott becomes director on 11 May.

• 2000

  Erik Nørr becomes secretary on 22 March.

• 1915

  Johannes Steenstrup becomes director on 12 October.

• 1829

  Laurids Engelstoft becomes director on 9 December.

• 1798

  Michael Treschow becomes director on 21 November.

• 1781

  Peter Friderich Suhm becomes director on 21 March.

• 1775

  Jacob Langebek's directorship ends on 16 August.

• 1745

  Society founded on 8 January by Jacob Langebek.

• 1745

  Jonas Ramus becomes secretary on 8 January.

A scholarly society dedicated to publishing sources on Danish history for research and public access.

• Danske Magazin

  Journal publishing smaller sources on Danish history; all volumes available online.

• Standalone source editions

  Larger sources published as standalone books.

• Systematic index to Danske Magazin 1745–2019

  Online index covering all volumes of the journal.

1. 1Det Kongelige Danske Selskab for Fædrelandets Historie – official websitedanskeselskab.dk
2. 2Royal Danish Society for Fatherland History – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Det kongelige danske Selskab for Fædrelandets Historie – Swedish Wikipediasv.wikipedia.org