[1] Henrik Frederik Arild Sibbern was born in Rygge in Østfold, Norway.

In 1807, he was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to the Royal Regiment stationed in Helsingor, Denmark.

In 1814 he was assigned to the Norwegian Engineer Brigade in Kristiansand.

He represented the Engineering Brigade at the Norwegian Constituent Assembly in Eidsvoll during 1814.

His family included his brother, Norwegian government minister Valentin Christian Wilhelm Sibbern and his nephew, Norwegian Prime Minister Georg Sibbern.