Fridtjof Nansen

Fridtjof Nansen was born on October 10, 1861, in Store Frøen, near Oslo, Norway. He studied zoology at the University of Oslo and became interested in polar exploration. In 1888, he led the first expedition to cross the Greenland ice cap on skis. In 1893, he embarked on a daring attempt to reach the North Pole by drifting in a specially designed ship, the Fram, across the Arctic Ocean. He reached a record latitude of 86°14′ N before continuing on foot with a companion, Hjalmar Johansen. They failed to reach the pole but returned safely after a harrowing journey. Nansen's account of the expedition, Farthest North, was an international bestseller. After his return, Nansen devoted himself to scientific research, especially in oceanography and marine biology. He invented the Nansen bottle, a device for collecting water samples from different depths, and participated in several scientific cruises in the North Atlantic. He also became involved in Norwegian politics and diplomacy, supporting the independence of Norway from Sweden in 1905 and serving as Norway's representative in London and ambassador to Great Britain. He was also a delegate to the League of Nations and a champion of international cooperation and peace. In 1921, he was appointed as the League's High Commissioner for Refugees, and he initiated a humanitarian campaign to aid the victims of famine, war, and persecution in Europe and Asia. He created the Nansen passport, a travel document for stateless refugees, and organized relief efforts for millions of people. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his humanitarian work. He continued his scientific and diplomatic activities until his death from heart failure on May 13, 1930, at his home in Lysaker, Norway. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest explorers and humanitarians of his time.