Trygve Halvdan Lie

Trygve Halvdan Lie was a Norwegian politician, labour leader, government official and author. He served as Norwegian foreign minister during the critical years of the Norwegian government in exile in London from 1940 to 1945. From 1946 to 1952 he was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations. He was born in Oslo on July 16, 1896. He joined the Labour Party in 1911 and became a lawyer in 1919. He was a member of the Norwegian parliament from 1937 to 1949 and held various ministerial positions, including justice, trade, industry and foreign affairs. He was a prominent figure in the negotiations that led to the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. He was elected as the first Secretary-General of the UN in 1946, with the support of the Soviet Union and the United States. He faced many challenges and crises during his tenure, such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Korean War, the Cold War and the Suez Crisis. He also promoted human rights, decolonization and international cooperation. He resigned in 1952, after losing the confidence of the Soviet Union and facing opposition from the United States. He returned to Norway and resumed his political career. He served as minister of trade and shipping from 1963 to 1965. He also wrote several books and memoirs about his experiences and views. He died of a heart attack in Geilo, Norway, on December 30, 1968. He was buried at Vestre gravlund in Oslo. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and respected Norwegian politicians and diplomats of the twentieth century.