Christian Salvesen


1827 - 1911

Ship-owner. Born in Norway, but noted for his shipping business, based in Leith. The activities of his company included fishing and whaling. They operated a Whaling Station on South Georgia between 1909 and 1966, which took the name Leith from their home-port.
Salvesen died at his home, Mayfield House in Trinity, and lies buried in Rosebank Cemetery. Salvesen gave his name to the Salvesen Range of mountains on the southern tip of South Georgia. The Salvesen family are noted for their philanthropic gifts, including the building of housing for the war-wounded and retired lighthouse-keepers around Salvesen Gardens in Edinburgh.

The company, now Christian Salvesen PLC and based in England, retains several family members among its major shareholders. It employs 14,000 people with a turnover of £300 million and has diversified into frozen foods, food processing and logistics.


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