Uncle Sophus's Room

Chamberlain Jens Kraft Jacob Sophus Dinesen (1830–1910) was a prominent member of the Dinesen family. Birgitte Dinesen, the 8th generation of the Dinesen family at Kragerup Estate, shares her memories of the man known as Uncle Sophus:

“Sophus took over Kragerup Estate in 1857. He was well-off, being a modest, very frugal, and hardworking man. He restored Finderup Church in Høng, which, along with Ørslev Church, was then part of Kragerup.”

“Sophus married his brother’s widow, Alvilde Dinesen (1841–1893). In this way, he came to own half of Rungstedgaard, Rungstedlund, and Folehave. He was both an uncle and an adoptive father to her children and was a well-liked man who treated the children as if they were his own.”

“Upon his death in 1910, Sophus left us his verse book, where he wrote about life at the estate and its guests. He composed poetry, rhymed, and wrote letters. This was his way of relaxing – today we watch TV, but such a thing didn’t exist back then. He wrote about gatherings, puppet theater performances, comedies, and costumes. There were games, performances, and any occasion for festivity and fun was seized. He had people to handle the hard work in the fields, while the young girls and the housekeeper took care of organizing the social events.”