Richard Andvord

Sevald Theodor Richard Andvord (5 August 1839 – 8 November 1913) was a Norwegian businessperson, known for founding the company Rich. Andvord. Biography He was born at Lom in Oppland, Norway. He was the son of bailiff Paul Thorsteinson Andvord (1795-1863) and Thora Sevaldsdatter Kjæstad (1806–97). He moved to Christiania (now Oslo) in 1855 to work as an assistant in his uncle's shop. He also spent one year in Germany. In 1865 he opened his own store near Stortorvet which he named Rich. Andvord. He imported pens, paper and other writing materials. Andvord soon got many notable customers, including Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Grieg, Jonas Lie, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Edvard Munch, Fridtjof Nansen and Gustav Vigeland, and the store became a meeting place for artists and other notables. The new postal communication and the expanded bureaucracy meant even more for Andvord's business. He soon expanded into a larger company. Book printing and bookbinding were included in the company portfolio. Andvord was also a member of Kristiania city council. He also served on the board of Den norske Creditbank, Kreditkassen, Storebrand, Idun and the National Theatre. Andvord was an active philanthropist, and also led Borgervæpningen, a civic guard consisting of burghers but disestablished in 1881.