Who is Fridtjof Nansen? Google Doodle celebrates Norwegian humanitarian, explorer’s 156th birth anniversary

Fridtjof Nansen: Google Doodle celebrates birth anniversary of Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian. Nansen is also regarded as the first High Commissioner for Refugees. He came up with the "Nansen passports".

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Fridtjof Nansen: Google Doodle celebrates birth anniversary of Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian.

Google on Tuesday honoured Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen with a Google Doodle. Nansen was born in Oslo on October 10, 1861 and today marks his 156th birth anniversary. Nansen is also regarded as the first High Commissioner for Refugees. He came up with the “Nansen passports” that enabled hundreds of thousand s of refugees return home.

Today’s Google doodle is a GIF that shows Nansen skiing through what is presumably the North Pole. Nansen won international acclaim after he created a record by reaching the northern latitude of 86°14′ during his North Pole expedition between 1893–96. This, owing to his great love for the outdoors. Nansen reportedly learned to cross-country ski as many as 50 miles in one day. The Norwegian explorer would reportedly do this with bare minimal supplies, and often with just his dog.

But more than an explorer, Nansen is recognised for his work in helping millions of refugees return home. Post World War I, as Europe struggled to rebuild, Nansen directed the League of Nations’ first major humanitarian operation – the repatriation of 450,000 prisoners of war, the UNHCR states. Nansen also served as the League’s first High Commissioner for Refugees from 1920-1930.

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In 1922, Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in “helping those without a voice and searching for a home”. Fridtjof Nansen died on May 13, 1930. UNHCR established the Nansen Refugee Award in his honour in 1954. It is given to a person or group for outstanding service in the cause of refugees. In the year 2000, Fridtjof Nansen was voted Norwegian of the Millennium by the people of Norway.

Watch Video: Google Doodle celebrates birth anniversary of Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian explorer, humanitarian