Postmortem photo of Fridtjof Nansen

Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, and humanitarian. He gained international fame for leading the Fram expedition (1893–1896), during which he attempted to reach the North Pole by allowing his ship to drift with the Arctic ice. Though he did not reach the Pole, his journey provided valuable scientific data and revolutionized polar exploration.

Beyond his achievements as an explorer, Nansen was a respected scientist in oceanography and zoology. He later turned to diplomacy and humanitarian work, playing a key role in aiding refugees after World War I. As the League of Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees, he developed the "Nansen Passport," which provided stateless people with a legal identity.

For his humanitarian efforts, Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922. His legacy endures in both scientific and humanitarian fields, and he remains one of Norway’s most celebrated historical figures.