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Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930)

Fridtjof NansenPolhøgda was the home of Fridtjof Nansen from 1901 until he died in May 1930. The mansion itself is a historical monument, but not a museum: The statutes of the Fridtjof Nansen Foundation at Polhøgda, which manages the estate, stipulate that it shall be used actively for purposes linked to the life and work of Nansen. The Foundation runs its research activities under the name of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.

Nansen became famous in the 1880s and '90s for his exploration of the Arctic, which he described extensively in many books, often illustrated by himself. He played a key part in the successful dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway in 1905, and served as Norway's first ambassador to the United Kingdom. Later he made major contributions to the foundation of the science of physical oceanography, and after World War I he worked extensively with the repatriation of prisoners of war and refugees, and with famine relief. This work was carried out both under the auspices of the League of Nations and on Nansen's own initiative. For his humanitarian efforts he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1922.

Further information in English:

A biography of Fridtjof Nansen is found in Chr. A. R. Christensen's Fridtjof Nansen. A Life in the Service of Science and Humanity (PDF file).

A brief, illustrated Nansen biography by Asle Sveen is found on the NobelPrize.org website: Fridtjof Nansen: Scientist and Humanitarian.

Fridtjof Nansen's biography on Wikipedia.

The National Library of Norway maintains an online database of 3500 photographs related to Fridtjof Nansen. Parts of the database have also been translated into English, French and Spanish.

 The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) is an independent foundation engaged in research on international environmental, energy, and resource management politics.
The Institute maintains a multi-disciplinary approach, with main emphasis on political science, economics, and international law.
FNI is located at Polhøgda, the home of Fridtjof Nansen.



Fridtjof Nansen Institute
P.O. Box 326, 1326 Lysaker, Norway. Tel: (+47) 67111900 / E-mail: post (+@fni.no)