Fridtjof Nansen
Fridtjof Nansen
- Born: October 10, 1861, Store Frøen, Norway
- Died: May 13, 1930, Lysaker, Norway
- Nationality: Norwegian
- Occupation: Explorer, scientist, diplomat, and humanitarian
Early Life and Education
Fridtjof Nansen was born in Store Frøen, Norway, on October 10, 1861. He was the son of Baldur Nansen, a lawyer, and Adelaide Johanne Thekla Isidore Wedel-Jarlsberg. Nansen studied zoology at the University of Oslo and graduated in 1882. He then worked as a curator at the Bergen Museum.
Exploration
In 1888, Nansen led a team of six men on a crossing of Greenland. The expedition was a success, and Nansen became a national hero. In 1893, he led another expedition, this time to the Arctic Ocean. The expedition became trapped in the ice, and Nansen and his team drifted for over a year. They were finally rescued in 1896.
Scientific Work
Nansen was a prolific scientist. He published over 400 papers on a wide range of topics, including oceanography, meteorology, and glaciology. He also developed a new method for measuring the depth of the ocean.
Diplomatic and Humanitarian Work
After his retirement from exploration, Nansen worked as a diplomat and humanitarian. He served as the Norwegian ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1906 to 1908. He also worked for the League of Nations, and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his work on behalf of refugees.
Legacy
Fridtjof Nansen is considered to be one of the greatest explorers and scientists of all time. He was a pioneer in the field of polar exploration, and his work helped to revolutionize our understanding of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. He was also a tireless humanitarian, and he worked tirelessly to help people in need.
Awards and Honors
- Nobel Peace Prize (1922)
- Albert Medal of the Royal Society of Arts (1900)
- Vega Medal of the Swedish Society for Anthropology and Geography (1893)
- Order of St. Olav (1896)
- Honorary doctorates from the universities of Oslo, Cambridge, Oxford, Glasgow, and St. Andrews
