Biography
The Scavenius family belongs to the Danish nobility. It was family tradition to work as a diplomat. Erik Scavenius graduated in economics in 1901. Soon after, he became employed in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was a secretary at the Danish Embassy in Berlin 1906–1908, a time forming his emphasis upon the primacy of Danish-German relations. Next, he became head of section in the ministry. He was an envoy to Vienna and Rome 1912–13 and to Stockholm 1924–32. From 1932 to 1940 he was chairman of the board of the major daily Politiken. Scavenius was the owner of a large estate 1915-1946. After 1945 he experienced marital and economic difficulties.
The appointment of the only 32 year old head of section Scavenius as minister of Foreign Affairs in the Social Liberal cabinet 1909–10 came as a surprise. He was reappointed when the party formed another cabinet 1913. During World War I he strongly put his efforts into the continuation of "the German course", a policy of keeping Denmark out of conflict with the neighbouring great power through adaptation of its demands. Among other things he supported giving in to mining of the Danish straits in August 1914.
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