Peder Colbjørnsen (5 July 1683 - 17 March 1738) was a Norwegian timber merchant and war hero. [1] Colbjørnsen was born at the Sørum vicarage at Romerike in Akershus, Norway. He was the son of parish priest Colbjørn Torstensen Arneberg (1628-1720) and Catharina Kjeldsdatter Stub (1653-1731). He was a brother of Hans Colbjørnsen and half brother of Anna Colbjørnsdatter. The family later re-located to Fredrikshald, where his uncle Niels Kjeldsen Stub (1638-1721) had a significant lumber business. Peder came into the company and was in 1715 made his uncle's heir.[2]
Peder Colbjørnsen was chief of the civilian resistance at Fredrikshald during the Great Northern War. He is known for his achievements at the battles in 1716 and 1718. A bust of Colbjørnsen, made by Hans Michelsen in 1856, is located in Halden.[3]