Ole Paus (shipowner)


Ole Paus was a Norwegian ship's captain, shipowner and land owner, who belonged to the patriciate of the port town of Skien from the late 18th century. From 1799, he owned the estate Rising in Gjerpen. He is noted as the stepfather of Knud Ibsen as well as the uncle of Marichen Altenburg, the parents of playwright Henrik Ibsen. Many of his descendants, including singer Ole Paus, were named for him.
He was married to Johanne Plesner, a daughter of merchant Knud Plesner. Johanne had previously been married to ship's captain Henrich Ibsen, who died at sea in 1797. Johanne and Henrich's only child was Knud Ibsen, who grew up at Rising. Ole Paus was best man at Knud Ibsen's wedding, when he married his niece Marichen Altenburg. Ole Paus' brother-in-law was Diderik von Cappelen, who was married to his wife's sister Maria Plesner in his first marriage and to Ole Paus' cousin Marie Severine Blom in his second.
Ole Paus and Johanne Plesner had 5 sons and 4 daughters:
Ole Paus was the grandfather of factory owner Ole Paus and the great-grandfather of chamberlain, land owner and art collector Christopher Tostrup Paus, who received a comital title from Pope Pius XI. His great-great-grandson Herman Paus married Countess Tatyana Tolstoy, a granddaughter of Leo Tolstoy, and their descendants own Herresta and other Swedish estates. Also among his descendants are General Ole Otto Paus, singer Ole Paus, fashion designer Pontine Paus and businessman Peder Nicolas Paus.
Ole Paus was portrayed by Per Theodor Haugen in the 2006 NRK miniseries En udødelig mann.