The foundation of the porcelain manufacturer Bing & Grøndahl began with a 1852 invitation from Frederik Viihelm Grøndahl to collaborate on producing biscuit figures. Meyer Herman Bing, a Copenhagen-based merchant and industrialist, accepted this proposal alongside his brother, eventually transforming the initiative into a significant factory operation that persisted despite the founder's early death in 1856.
Early Career and Commerce
Born in 1807 to bookseller Herman Jacob Bing and Sara Meyer, Meyer Herman Bing commenced his professional life in his father's book and paper shop. By 1833, he attained partnership status, leading to a name change to H. J. Bing & Søn. Following his father's retirement in 1838, he managed the enterprise in partnership with his brother, Jacob Herman Bing. In 1848, he launched a specialized art and gallantry shop at the corner of Kronprinsensgade, featuring pioneering street-level display windows that attracted the attention of Christian VIII.
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Bing expanded his business portfolio significantly throughout the mid-19th century. His firm, Det Bingske Etablissement, incorporated book publishing, while his lithographic business merged with printing operations. Beyond retail and publishing, he held ownership stakes in the Christianshavns Dampmølle alongside J. W. Heyman and D. Halberstadt & Komp. His entrepreneurial reach extended to urban planning; he drafted proposals for a Copenhagen amusement park, though these designs predated the successful development of Tivoli Gardens and remained unexecuted.
Public Service and Recognition
Bing participated in local governance as a member of the Copenhagen City Council between 1858 and 1877. His influence in the industrial sector was solidified through his tenure as president of Industriforeningen from 1868 to 1871. Additionally, he served as director for the two Jewish schools located in Copenhagen. His contributions to Danish society earned him the Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1862 and the Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog in 1872.
Legacy and Family
Married to Eva Simonsen in 1831, Bing fathered several children, including Jacob Martin Bing and Herman Meyer Bing. In 1863, he transitioned his primary business interests, ceding control of H. J. Bing & Søn to his son, Jacob Martin Bing, and his son-in-law, Benny Henriques. Bing died on 15 September 1883 in Skovshoved and was subsequently interred at the Jewish Northern Cemetery in Copenhagen.
Fast facts
- Born: 1807, Copenhagen
- Died: 15 September 1883, Skovshoved
- Spouse: Eva Simonsen
- Key Business: Bing & Grøndahl
- Public Office: Copenhagen City Council (1858-1877)
- Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog: 1862
- Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog: 1872
- Burial Site: Jewish Northern Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What major company did Meyer Herman Bing help found?
He co-founded the porcelain manufacturer Bing & Grøndahl in 1852.
Did he hold any political positions?
Yes, he served as a member of the Copenhagen City Council from 1858 to 1877.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog — 1862
