Herman Petersen (13 December 1713 – 13 August 1765) was a Swedish merchant and director of the Swedish East India Company, amassed significant wealth through copper trade with France. He was part of the 'Skeppsbroadel' and owned several notable properties, including Erstavik and the Petersen House in Stockholm.
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Early life
Herman Petersen was born on December 13, 1713, to Abraham Petersen, a wholesaler in Gothenburg, and his wife Christina Tham, a member of the Tham family. His grandfather had migrated from Stettin, Prussia, to Stockholm, and subsequently, his father relocated to Gothenburg.
Business career
Petersen was elected to serve as director of the Swedish East India Company for a period during the 18th century.
Additionally, Petersen traded great amounts of copper with France. He did so with his company Petersen & Bedoire, that he had started with his brother-in-law, Fredrik Bedoire. Petersen was a member of the so-called 'Skeppsbroadel'.
Petersen possessed Erstavik, a castle-like structure located in Nacka, as well as the Petersen House, built in the Dutch Baroque architectural style, in Gamla stan. In 1746, Petersen acquired Stora Nyckelviken by Saltsjön, where he built a summer residence. The property is now located in Nacka Municipality and is a nature reserve.