Fridtjof Nansen particularly in the polar regions. The Nansen family originated in Denmark. Hans Nansen (1598–1667), a trader, was an early explorer of the White Sea region of the Arctic Ocean. In later life he settled in Copenhagen, becoming the city's "borgmester" in 1654. Later generations of the family lived in Copenhagen until the mid-18th century, when Ancher Antoni Nansen moved to Norway (then in a union with Denmark). His son, Hans Leierdahl Nansen (1764–1821), was a magistrate first in the Trondheim district, later in Jæren. After Norway's separation from Denmark in 1814, he entered national political life as the representative for
Nansen Academy Nansen Academy The Nansen Academy – Norwegian Humanistic Academy () is a folk high school in Lillehammer, Norway. Nansen Academy was founded as a humanist and anti-totalitarian institution. The school was named after polar explorer, scientist, author and humanist Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930). His work embodied essential elements of humanism: active love of one’s neighbour and freedom of thought. The school was established in 1938 by Kristian Vilhelm Koren Schjelderup, Jr. (1894–1980) Bishop of the Diocese of Hamar together with future Norwegian Resistance Movement members Anders Platou Wyller (1903-1940) and Henriette Bie Lorentzen (1911–2001). Its first school year started in 1939.