Charles Bertram - Early Life

Early Life

Charles Bertram was the son of an English silk dyer who migrated to Copenhagen among the retinue of Princess Louisa, daughter of George II who married Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark in 1743 (he would become King three years later). The father established himself as a hosier, and Charles seemed to have benefited from the warm reception that Louisa and her retinue had received from the Danes. In 1747 Charles' petition to the Consistorium for entry to the University of Copenhagen was granted, even though it should not have been granted, because he belonged to the Anglican Church. He became a friend and protégé of Hans Gram, privy-counselor and librarian to the King of Denmark, a relationship that would be important during subsequent events. In 1748 Bertram petitioned the king to be permitted to give public lectures on the English language, and he became a teacher of English in the Royal Marine Academy at Copenhagen (some accounts say he was a professor, rather than a tutor of students; if so, that would be some years later, as he was a new undergraduate in 1747).