Frederik Thuresen

Summary

Frederik Thuresen was a Danish merchant and head of Copenhagen's Civilian Guard. In his capacity of chief of the Civilian Guard, he played a key role in the successful defence of the city during the Swedish assault on Copenhagen in 1659. After the war with Sweden, he led the bourgeois in calling for a new city charter, with provisions about the establishment of a city council, new trade privileges, as well as in advocating for a hereditary monarchy. He served as the first president of the Assembly of 32 Men from 1659 until his death.