Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930)

Awarded the Prize “in recognition of his work, carried out as an international character, in the repatriation of prisoners of war, for the Russian refugees, in aiding the millions in Russia struggling against famine, now for the refugees in Asia Minor Trace.”

Norwegian explorer, oceanographer statesman. Nansen was born on October 10, 1861 at Store-Froen, near Oslo. He obtained his doctorate at the University of Oslo in 1888. He led a number of expeditions to the Arctic oceanographic expeditions in the North Atlantic. He was appointed, by the University of Oslo, curator of the Zootomical Institute, professor of oceanography. Later he played an active role in international affairs aiding refugees. Nansen died on May 13, 1930 at Lysaker, near Oslo.
Major Works:
The First Crossing of Greenl (1890); Eskimo Life (1891)