Charlotta Richardy facts for kids

Christina Charlotta Richardy (1751–1831) was a successful Swedish businesswoman. She was a pioneer in industry and trade during her time.

A Life of Business

Christina Charlotta Richardy was born in 1751. Her father, Albrecht Friedrich Richardson, was a judge and mayor of Halmstad. Richardy never married. In those days, unmarried women were often considered legal minors. This meant they needed a male relative to manage their affairs.

However, unmarried businesswomen could ask the king to declare them legally independent. This was a common practice. Richardy did this in 1786, asking Gustav III of Sweden. Once she was declared independent, she was free to manage her own businesses.

Fish Trade

Halmstad was an important trading city back then. Richardy started a business trading fish. She bought fresh Salmonidae, had it smoked, and then sold it. This was a very profitable business.

Her success led to problems with the Halmstad city guild. Guilds were groups of people who controlled certain trades. They tried to shut down her business. But Richardy defended herself well in court. The guild could not stop her.

Instead, she decided to join the guild herself, as the law allowed. The guild refused to let her in. She then complained to the king. The king did not get involved, but Richardy eventually won. She became a member of the Halmstad city guild. It was well known that she often traveled alone for business. She carried a pistol for safety.

Textile Industry

In 1800, Charlotta Richardy made history. She became the first female member of the Royal Patriotic Society. This group worked to improve farming and industry. She was chosen partly because she supplied boots and stockings to the army.

Richardy took over an old contract. This contract was to provide woolen stockings and boots for the Swedish Army. It had been held by another family for over 100 years. From 1805 to 1822, she ran her own factory. It was on her farm, Tolarp, near Halmstad.

To meet her contract, she could import and sell wool from Copenhagen. She hired people to work in her factory. She also gave wool to local farmers to make socks at home. She even found shoemakers in the countryside to make boots. This helped her avoid problems with the Halmstad shoemaker guild. She also bought cloth made by local farmers and sold it to the army.

Richardy and her factory were very successful. They supplied footwear to the army during wars, like the Finnish war. In 1810, she received money from the government. This was to help her expand her business. It was also a recognition of her great work. She helped many people in the region find jobs. She is seen as a pioneer. Other textile factory owners later followed her example. They also hired local people to work from home.

Carl Christoffer Gjörwell Sr. described her:

"... a strong lady of impressive height. She had a powerful way about her, like a man. She was about fifty, lived in Halmstad, and managed trade. She often traveled to the capital to handle business with the King. I have never met anyone like her. I will not forget our first talk, her brave look, her strong arm, and her famous Pistol..."

See also

• Frederica Louise Ernst
• Maria Augustin