New book on Børsen
New book on the Stock Exchange Tells Danish History Through 400 Years
Anders Ravn Sørensen: Børsen, Gads Forlag, 2024, 336 pages
For 400 years, the Stock Exchange (Børsen) has stood at the center of events, shaping the development toward the Denmark we know today. At the same time, the Børsen fire has underscored the powerful emotions tied to the building. In this richly illustrated book, Associate Professor Anders Ravn Sørensen vividly and expertly narrates the extensive history of the Stock Exchange.
In April 2024, the Stock Exchange was engulfed in flames. When the smoke finally cleared, the Børsen Hall had collapsed, and nearly half of the building lay in ruins. Yet, the backdrop to the country's transformation from the authoritarian rule of the Renaissance to today's democracy still stood.
Since 1624, the Stock Exchange has been at the heart of trade, investment, and entrepreneurship. For the first 200 years, merchants and traders sold exotic goods from stalls in the Børsen Hall, while booksellers offered daring literature. In 1857, the Wholesale Society took over the building, which became the stage for financial and industrial adventures led by C.F. Tietgen. Later, trade in securities began, with stocks and bonds helping finance the welfare state. When securities moved out in 1974, Danish business and international relations moved in.
The book follows Børsen over 400 years, weaving together people and events in a narrative about fires, plagues, and conflicts. It recounts tales of goulash barons, financial crashes, and occupation. And of the dragons that have been the face of Børsen, guarding not only the building but the entire country from fire and enemies — until that fateful morning in 2024.
Anders Ravn Sørensen (b. 1981) holds a PhD in history and is an associate professor at the Department of Business Humanities and Law at CBS. His research focuses on business history and cultural history. He authored Denmark as a Maritime Nation (2020) and co-authored The Curse of the Painting (2023).