Origins & Early Life

Arne Emil Jacobsen, Hon. FAIA (Danish pronunciation: [ˈɑːnə e̝ˈmiˀl ˈjɑkʰʌpsn̩]; 11 February 1902 – 24 March 1971) was a Danish architect and furniture designer. He is remembered for his contribution to architectural functionalism and for the worldwide success he enjoyed with simple well-designed chairs. Arne Jacobsen was born on 11 February 1902 in Copenhagen.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His father Johan was a wholesale trader in safety pins and snap fasteners. His mother Pouline was a bank teller whose hobby was floral motifs. He was of Jewish descent. He first hoped to become a painter, but was dissuaded by his mother, who encouraged him to opt instead for the more secure domain of architecture. After a spell as an apprentice mason, Jacobsen was admitted to the Architecture School at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts where from 1924 to 1927 he studied under Kay Fisker and Kaj Gottlob, both leading architects and designers.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Still a student, in 1925 Jacobsen participated in the Paris Art Deco fair, Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, where he won a silver medal for a chair design. On that trip, he was struck by the pioneering...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abe Saperstein — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Albert Anastasia — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Italian-American mob boss, co-founder of Murder, Inc., and boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Alfred Kastler — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Iraqi militant leader and founder of the Islamic State (IS)
• Adriano Giannini — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Italian actor known for dubbing and roles in film and television.
• Alison Krauss — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Esteemed American bluegrass singer and musician known for her vibrant career.
• Alex Jones — Shared historical date (02-11 · Born) (1974): American far-right commentator and prominent conspiracy theorist.
• Alfredo Reinado — Shared historical date (02-11 · Died) (2008): East Timorese military commander and rebel leader during the 2006 crisis.
• Alan Sugar — Shared historical date (03-24 · Born) (1947): Pioneering British entrepreneur, founder of Amstrad, and TV personality.
• Albert Uderzo — Shared historical date (03-24 · Died) (2020): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• 1902 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1902
• February 11 (02-11) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 11
• 1971 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1971
• March 24 (03-24) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 24