Fridtjof Nansen: From Polar Exploration to Helping Refugees

In 1893, a Norwegian ship sailed toward the Arctic carrying an unusual hope: its crew wanted it to become trapped in ice. The plan belonged to Fridtjof Nansen, a scientist and explorer who believed drifting ice could carry the ship across the polar sea. Years later, Nansen tackled a very different challenge: helping people who had been forced from their homes cross borders safely.

Nansen’s polar expeditions and his work for refugees were distinct achievements. One expanded knowledge of a remote region; the other helped people navigate a world changed by war and political upheaval. Both required patience, planning, and cooperation.

A journey across Greenland

Born in Norway on October 10, 1861, Nansen grew interested in nature and outdoor travel. He studied zoology, the science of animals, and became an accomplished skier. In 1888, he led a team across the ice-covered interior of Greenland, traveling largely on skis and pulling supplies on sledges.

The crossing was dangerous. Much of Greenland’s interior is covered by a vast ice sheet, and the travelers faced bitter cold, wind, and long stretches without settlements. They could not simply find food along the way, so their equipment and supplies mattered enormously.