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Fridtjof
Nansen (1861-1930)
Polhøgda
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.
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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.
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