Hans Gulbranson (1787–1868) was a Norwegian businessperson. He was a pioneer in the development of textile industry in Norway in the mid-1800s.[1]
Gulbranson was from Modum in Buskerud, Norway.[2] He was a wholesaler in Christiania and was one of the wealthiest people in Norway's capital.[3] He is best known as a founder of Nydalens Compagnie, one of the nation's first and largest textile manufacturing firms. Gulbranson founded the firm in 1845 together with Adam Hiorth, Ole Gjerdrum and Oluf N. Roll.[4] Gulbranson was the company's first chairman and manager. He was succeeded by Peter J. K. Petersen in both positions, in 1868 and 1858 respectively.[5] He also owned large areas of forest and sold timber.[6] Together with Hiorth, Roll, Petersen and Iver Olsen he founded Christiania Mekaniske Væveri in 1847.[3]
Together with his first wife Maren Bergithe Sparre (1796–1828) he had a daughter Claudine who married Jørgen Meinich. He had a son Carl August Gulbranson with his second wife Helene Andersen (1799-1855).[7]