Inspirational Quotes by Fridtjof Nansen (Norwegian Arctic Explorer)

Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian Arctic explorer, biologist, oceanographer, statesman, and humanitarian. In his youth, he was a champion skier and ice skater. He won international fame after reaching record northern latitude of 86°14′ during his North Pole expedition of 1893–96. As the first High Commissioner for Refugees appointed by the League of Nations, he earned the 1922 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on behalf of prisoners of war and starving people.

Born Store-Frøen, near Kristiania, now Oslo, Nansen studied at Christiana University and later at Naples. He led several expeditions to the Arctic (1888, 1893, 1895–96) and oceanographic expeditions in the North Atlantic (1900, 1910–14.)

Professor of zoology (1897) and of oceanography (1908) at Oslo, Nansen furthered the cause of Norwegian independence from Sweden and was the first Norwegian ambassador in London (1906–08.) For his relief work after World War I, he was awarded the 1922 Nobel Prize in Peace.

In 1922, Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for Russian relief work, and he did much for the League of Nations, following his appointment in 1921 as the League’s High Commissioner for Refugees. Among the initiatives he introduced was the “Nansen passport” for stateless persons, a certificate that used to be recognized by more than 50 countries.

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