Svend Borchmann Hersleb (7 March 1784 – 12 September 1836) was a Norwegian professor of theology who also served one term in the Norwegian Parliament.
He was born in Alstahaug[1] as the youngest son of Jørgen Sverdrup Hersleb and his wife Anna Svendsdatter Borchmann. He had several brothers and sisters.[2] His sister Else married local businessman Jonas Greger Walnum.[3]
Hersleb graduated from the University of Copenhagen as cand.theol. in 1807. He had befriended N. F. S. Grundtvig there, and stayed in Denmark after graduation to work as a teacher at the Metropolitanskolen. Following the foundation of the Royal Frederick University in Christiania was founded in 1811, Hersleb was hired as a lector in 1813. He became the first teacher in theology at the university, and together with Stener Johannes Stenersen, he is credited with founding the Faculty of Theology.[1] Hersleb, who became professor in 1814, and Stenersen were the only academic staff at the faculty until 1832. Hersleb remained professor until his death.[1]
Hersleb, noted as strongly orthodox, was among the founders of the Norwegian Bible Society in 1816.[4] He was also elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1827, representing the constituency of Christiania. He served only one term.[5]
His friend N. F. S. Grundtvig named his son Svend Hersleb Grundtvig.[6]