Gabriel Schanche Kielland

Who was Gabriel Schanche Kielland?

Gabriel Schanche Kielland was a businessman and ship owner in the city of Stavanger in Norway.

In 1790 he took control of the family business Jacob Kielland & Søn and soon became one of the wealthiest and most distinguished figures in the city. Around 1800, he commissioned the building of the large country house Ledaal, which would later become a royal residence in Stavanger. In 1815, he was elected to the Parliament of Norway, though was unable to assume office. His personal success also facilitated the rise to prominence of other members of the Kielland dynasty, who became influential in the commercial, cultural and public life of Stavanger and of Norway for more than a century.