Background
He was born in Christiania as the son of Thorleif Schjelderup and Fredrikke Marie Caspary. His older sister Berte married Bredo Henrik von Munthe af Morgenstierne, son of Vilhelm Ludvig Herman von Munthe af Morgenstierne.
He was born in Christiania as the son of Thorleif Schjelderup and Fredrikke Marie Caspary. His older sister Berte married Bredo Henrik von Munthe af Morgenstierne, son of Vilhelm Ludvig Herman von Munthe af Morgenstierne.
Thorleif Frederik Schjelderup graduated as candidate.jur. in 1882, but concentrated on a business career as he in 1884 entered the family company Ludwigsen & Schjelderup. He eventually became the single owner of the company, which was nationally leading in the grain and flour business. He was also the major shareholder of the forestry and timber company Enso-Gutzeit until 1919, and a co-owner of the ironand steelware factory Christiania Spigerverk.