Peter "Don Pedro" Christophersen (May 28, 1845 – August 19, 1930) was a Norwegian businessman, landowner, and diplomat in Argentina.[1]
Early life and family
Christophersen was born in Tønsberg, the son of the customs official Ole Christophersen (1796–1878) and his wife, Tobine Christine Petersen. Christophersen was the brother of Norwegian Foreign Minister Wilhelm Christopher Christophersen (1832–1913); the Danish general consul in Montevideo, Otto Thorvald Alexander Christophersen (1834–1896), the Oslo wholesaler and factory owner Christian Eilert Rasch Christophersen (1840–1900);and the diplomat Søren Andreas Christophersen (1849–1933), who also lived in Buenos Aires.[2]
Education and career
Christophersen attended the civil school in Tønsberg, and then spent much of his adult life abroad. From 1865 to 1871 he was a shipbroker in Cádiz. Christophersen went to Argentina in 1871, where he established himself as a shipbroker and landowner. Her served as a vice consul and chargé d'affaires for Russia from 1881 to 1902, and as a vice consul for Denmark from 1884 to 1902. Christophersen was active in the business world and public life in Argentina. From 1891 to 1908 he served as the chairman for trade law and the stock exchange in Buenos Aires and he took part in several public committees on customs, port matters, and railway development. Christophersen also helped sponsor expeditions, including Roald Amundsen's South Pole expedition (1910–1912).[1][3] He was also a central figure in the negotiations to purchase the Asbjørnsen and Moe. Christophersen died in Buenos Aires.[1]