Niels Kjærbølling


Niels Kjærbølling was a Danish ornithological writer and lithographer.

Early life

With vivid interest in nature, Kjærbølling used here all his spare time to pursue botanical studies and observe bird life. 1843 he published a handbook of outdoor and flower gardening, and the following year, he gained the post of inspector at the Jutland, Funen and Schleswig created gardens at Snoghøj.

Career

His more famous works include Ornithologia danica, Danmarks Fugle, produced during 1847–1852, and his collection titled Skandinaviens Fugle which are descriptions of birds accompanied by lithographed drawings of the birds on hand-coloured plates. His works became very popular and spread public interest in Danish birds and bird spotting.
In 1832 he married Christine Ploug-Nissen.
In 1859 he founded the Copenhagen Zoo in "Prinsess Vilhelmines Have" at Frederiksberg Palace which was given to him by the chief directorate of Copenhagen as recognition for his work. After his death the garden was inherited by his son Frederick Hugo Kjærbølling, who in 1872 handed it over to a company.