Carl Deichman

Carl Deichman (1705 – 21 April 1780) was a Norwegian businessman, mine operator, book collector and philanthropist.

Deichman was born in Viborg, Denmark. He grew up in Christiania (now Oslo) where his father, Bartholomæus Deichman, was Bishop of Christiania. He received his early education at home. He was first employed at the court of King Frederick IV of Denmark. In 1733, he was appointed Chancellor and assessor in the court trial in Christiania. He later settled at Porsgrunn in Telemark, Norway. where he lived the rest of his life.

Deichman had learned a practical knowledge of mining operations at the Kongsberg Silver Mines. In 1734, together with his elder brother, Vilhelm Deichman (1709-1769) and brother-in-law Herman Leopoldus Løvenskiold (1701–1759), he purchased Fossum Ironworks. He was later the owner of several ironworks, including Eidsfos Verk. At the time of his death, his personal collection of over 6,000 books and an additional endowment formed the initial basis for the Oslo Public Library.