Fridtjof Nansen

Born in Norway in 1861, Fridtjof Nansen combined scientific curiosity with extraordinary physical courage. Trained as a zoologist, he conducted important research before gaining international fame by leading the first crossing of Greenland’s interior in 1888.

Nansen’s 1893–1896 Fram expedition carried him deep into the Arctic, where he reached a record northern latitude of 86°14′. His innovative approach to polar travel influenced generations of explorers, and his later work in oceanography and polar meteorology expanded scientific knowledge of the far north.

After retiring from exploration, Nansen turned to diplomacy and humanitarian work. As the League of Nations’ first High Commissioner for Refugees, he helped displaced people after the First World War; for these efforts, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.