Think of Norway and the first thing that strikes the mind is jaw-dropping beauty! With an interesting history and stunning locales, Norway easily qualifies as one of the most strikingly beautiful cities in the world, thanks to the insanely gorgeous locations like Trolltunga, Kjerabolten, Fjords, Hornindalsvatnet and many more. But beauty apart, Norway is also the best country to live in, its happiness index being meteorically high. While the country and the government of Norway do provide its citizens with a lot of benefits and advantages, you can’t simply overlook the contribution of Norwegian nationals in helping the country rank amongst the top countries in the world.
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Birthdate: November 30, 1990
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tønsberg Municipality, Norway
At 13, chess prodigy Magnus Carlsen became the youngest grandmaster. His rating of 2,872 was the highest ever in history. He also recorded the longest unbeaten run in chess. Named one of Cosmopolitan’s “sexiest men of 2013,”he has also modeled for G-Star Raw, owns a chess-app company, and loves football.
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Edvard Munch(Norwegian Painter Best Known for His Works: ‘The Scream’, ‘Madonna’ and ‘The Sick Child’)
Birthdate: December 12, 1863
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ådalsbruk, Norway
Died: 1944 AD
Norwegian painter Edvard Munch is remembered for his iconic works The Scream and The Frieze of Life - A Poem about Life, Love, and Death. His paintings exhibited themes that reflected his own psychological states. He was a significant member of theSymbolismmovement but was banned by the Nazi.
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Roald Amundsen(Norwegian Explorer Who was the First to Reach the South Pole)
Birthdate: July 16, 1872
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Borge, Norway
Died: June 18, 1928
Roald Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer. Specialized in exploring the polar regions, Amundsen was an important figure of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, an era in the exploration of Antarctica. He disappeared in 1928 when he was involved in a rescue mission in the Arctic. Owing to his significant achievements in polar exploration, several places are named after him.
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Henrik Ibsen(Norwegian-Danish Playwright and Theatre Director)
Birthdate: March 20, 1828
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Skien, Telemark, Norway
Died: May 23, 1906
Henrik Ibsen was a Norwegian theatre director and playwright. One of the most influential and popular playwrights of his generation, Ibsen is credited with co-founding modernism in theatre, for which he is often called the father of realism. After William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen is the world's most often performed dramatist. His works have influenced other playwrights like George Bernard Shaw.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjær(Norwegian Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Forward)
Birthdate: February 26, 1973
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kristiansund, Norway
Former Norwegian football player, Ole Gunnar Solskjær was one of the most successful players of Manchester United and scored 126 goals for it. He famously scored the winning goal against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final to secure a treble for the Manchester United. Post retirement, he began his coaching career and is currently the manager of Manchester United.
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Alan Walker(Music Producer and DJ Best Known for His 2015 Single ‘Faded’)
Birthdate: August 24, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Northampton, England
English-Norwegian music producer and DJ Alan Walker, also popular as “DJ Walkzz,” shot to fame with tracks such as The Spectre and Faded. His TikTok account has earned him a huge fan base. He is also known for his trademark hoodie and mask, which he wears while performing.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: June 15, 1843
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bergen, Norway
Died: September 4, 1907
Regarded as Norway’s Shakespeare, musical legend Edvard Grieg learned the piano from his mother. The Scottish claim he was their own, as Grieg’s Scottish grandfather had migrated to Norway. Grieg was known for his compositions such as the Piano Concerto and for infusing Norwegian folk elements into his music.
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Kygo(DJ Best Known for His December 2013 Remix of 'I See Fire' & 2014 Remix of 'Firestone')
Birthdate: September 11, 1991
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Singapore
Norwegian DJ and record producer Kygo gained worldwide acclaim for his remix of the Ed Sheeran track I See Fire. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he became the first house music producer who performed at an Olympics closing ceremony. He is also the fastest to gain a billion Spotify streams.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: February 21, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Skaugum, Norway
Harald V of Norway ascended the throne after the demise of his father, King Olav V. A sports enthusiast, he represented Norway in sailing at three Olympic Games. He also became a patron of World Sailing. The King is an admiral, the Supreme Commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces and a four-star general.
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Kristofer Hivju(Actor)
Birthdate: December 7, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: March 22, 1968
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Egersund
Died: August 10, 1993
Øystein Aarseth, better known as Euronymous, was a pioneer in the Norwegian black-metal circuit. He co-founded the band Mayhem and was its guitarist. He also launched the metal record label Deathlike Silence Productions and the black-metal record shop Helvete. A self-proclaimed Satanist, he was murdered by his bandmate Varg Vikernes.
Birthdate: 1015 AD
Birthplace: Ringerike
Died: September 25, 1066
Harald Sigurdsson, or Harald, was the king of Norway from 1046 to 1066. He also made an aim for the Danish throne and the English throne. He was a mercenary and a military leader before taking over as the king. His death marked the end of the Viking Age.
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Rollo(King)
Birthdate: 0846 AD
Birthplace: Scandinavia
Died: 0930 AD
Rollo of Normandy, also known as Rolf, is part of Scandinavian lore. A Viking, he was known for his exploits as a pirate on the seas of France, England, and other lands. When he attacked France with his Danish army, he was given Neustria, or Normandy, as part of a truce.
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Erik the Red(Norwegian Explorer and Founder of the First Settlement in Greenland)
Birthdate: 0950 AD
Birthplace: Norway
Died: 1003 AD
Tenth-century Norse explorer Erik Thorvaldsson, also known as Erik the Red for his red beard and hair, is a prominent figure in Icelandic legends. He was the founder of the first settlement in Greenland. Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, the first Viking to explore Vinland, was one of Erik's sons.
Recommended Lists:Birthdate: July 2, 1903
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Sandringham, Norfolk, England
Died: January 17, 1991
Olav V of Norway served as the king of Norway from 1957 to 1991. Olav became heir apparent to the throne in 1905 when his father was crowned king of Norway. His leadership skills during World War IIearned him the position of Norwegian Chief of Defence in 1944. Nicknamed The People's King, Olav was popular for his down-to-earth style.
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Harald I of Norway(King of Norway)
Birthdate: 0850 AD
Birthplace: Norway
Died: 0932 AD
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Morten Harket(Best Known as the Lead Singer of the Synthpop/Rock Band 'A-ha')
Birthdate: September 14, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kongsberg, Norway
Morten Harket is a Norwegian vocalist and musician. He is most popular as the lead singer of the synthpop/rock band A-ha. The band has released ten studio albums to date. Before joining the band, he used to sing for the blues outfit Souldier Blue. He has often been praised for his incredibly strong falsetto.
Birthdate: March 16, 1959
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Jens Stoltenberg is a Norwegian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Norway between 2000 and 2013 in two separate terms. An influential politician, Stoltenberg also served as the Minister of Industry and Energy from 1993 to 1996 and Minister of Finance from 1996 to 1997. Jens Stoltenberg is the current Secretary General of NATO.
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Fridtjof Nansen(Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and the First High Commissioner for Refugees Appointed by the League of Nations)
Birthdate: October 10, 1861
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Died: May 13, 1930
Fridtjof Nansen was a Norwegian polymath who won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his post-war efforts after the First World War. A well-known explorer, humanitarian, and diplomat, Nansen achieved international fame for his attempt to reach the geographical North Pole during his Fram expedition. His techniques and innovations influenced a generation of succeeding Antarctic and Arctic expeditions.
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Viktor Hovland(Golfer)
Birthdate: September 18, 1997
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Born to a golf enthusiast father, Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland was trained in the sport since age 11. He later scripted history by becoming the first from his country to win the U.S. Amateur, to compete in the Masters, and to win on the PGA European Tour.
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Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway(Heir apparent)
Birthdate: July 20, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
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Casper Ruud(Tennis player)
Birthdate: December 22, 1998
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Apart from being the first Norwegian tennis player to score an ATP title win, Casper Ruud also became the highest ranked player from his country ever. The son of legendary Norwegian tennis player Christian Ruud, Casper has begun his training in the game at age 4.
Birthdate: February 21, 2002
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: lverum, Norway
Martinus Gunnarsen is a Norwegian singer and one-half of the famous pop duo, Marcus & Martinus. Along with his twin brother Marcus, Martinus has released three successful studio albums to date. All their albums peaked at number one on VG-lista, a Norwegian record chart. In 2018, the brothers won the MAD Video Music Award under the Best International Act category.
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Thor Heyerdahl(Norwegian Adventurer and Ethnographer Known for His ‘Kon-Tiki’ and ‘Ra’ Transoceanic Scientific Expeditions)
Birthdate: October 6, 1914
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Larvik, Norway
Died: April 18, 2002
Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl’s early interest in nature was inspired by his museum worker mother’s keen interest in Darwin’s theory of evolution. He often went on treks accompanied by his dog and later lived on Fatu Hiva with his wife. His later expeditions included his Kon-Tiki and Easter Island trips.
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Jo Nesbø(Norwegian Writer and Musician)
Birthdate: March 29, 1960
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Jo Nesbø is a Norwegian writer, economist, musician, and former reporter and footballer. By 2021, Nesbø was declared the most successful Norwegian author ever when his translated works sold over 50 million copies; Nesbø's work has been translated into more than 50 languages. He is also associated with the band Di Derre where he is the main vocalist and songwriter.
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Cnut(King of all England and Denmark and the Norwegians and Some of the Swedes)
Birthdate: 0990 AD
Birthplace: Denmark
Died: November 12, 1035
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Marcus Gunnarsen(Norwegian Pop Singer Known for His Albums: ‘Hei’, ‘Together’ and ‘Moments’)
Birthdate: February 21, 2002
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Trofors, Norway
Marcus Gunnarsen is one half of the Norwegian pop-duo M&M, the other half being his twin brother, Martinus. They participated in and won the eleventh season of Melodi Grand Prix Junior in 2012. Their debut studio album Hei peaked at number 1 on the Norwegian Albums Chart. The twins have also appeared in a few TV shows and films.
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Alexander Rybak(Singer, Violinist, Pianist and Actor)
Birthdate: May 13, 1986
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Minsk, Belarus
Alexander Rybak is a Belarusian-Norwegian singer-composer, violinist, and pianist. The son of two talented musicians, he began to play musical instruments when he was just five. He studied at the Barratt Due Institute of Music before beginning his career. Besides being a musician, he is also an actor and has appeared in many TV shows and films.
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Tobias Santelmann(Norwegian Actor Best Known for His Films: ‘Kon-Tiki’ and ‘Jeg er din’)
Birthdate: August 8, 1980
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Freiburg, Germany
Tobias Santelmann is a German-born Norwegian actor best known for starring in the historical drama film Kon-Tiki. Interested in acting from a young age, he graduated from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Since then, he has been employed at The Norwegian Theatre in Oslo. He is also active in the TV and film industries.
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Olaf II of Norway(King of Norway)
Birthdate: 0995 AD
Birthplace: Ringerike, Norway
Died: July 29, 1030
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Karl Ove Knausgard(Norwegian Writer Known for His Six Autobiographical Novels Titled 'My Struggle')
Birthdate: December 6, 1968
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Karl Ove Knausgard is a Norwegian author who achieved international prominence for writing six autobiographical novels named My Struggle. A critically acclaimed writer, Knausgård has won several prestigious awards such as the Norwegian Critics Prize for Literature, Brage Prize, Jerusalem Prize, and Swedish Academy Nordic Prize.
Birthdate: September 30, 1972
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Aarhus, Denmark
Died: December 25, 2019
Ari Behn was a Norwegian author, visual artist, and playwright. He achieved international recognition in 2017 when his artwork was widely exhibited all over the world. Although he was married to Princess Märtha Louise, he remained a private citizen and held no title or special status. Behn committed suicide at the age of 47 after struggling with mental health problems.
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Christopher Heyerdahl(Actor)
Birthdate: September 18, 1963
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: British Columbia, Canada
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
Birthplace: Svanoya, Norway
Died: 0954 AD
While some believe Eric Bloodaxe was the son of Norwegian king Harald Fairhair, others believe Danish king Harald Bluetooth was his father. True to his nickname, he was a barbarian Viking tyrant who slaughtered his four brothers for the Norwegian throne. Icelandic sagas mention he married a witch named Gunnhild.
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Aksel Hennie(Actor)
Birthdate: October 29, 1975
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Lambertseter, Oslo, Norway
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
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Frederick VI of Denmark(King)
Birthdate: January 28, 1768
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: December 3, 1839
Birthdate: August 5, 1802
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Finnøy
Died: April 6, 1829
Born to a pastor, Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel first showcased his mathematical skills in his cathedral school and later became a pioneer of various mathematical concepts. He died of tuberculosis, amid poverty, before he could learn that he had been appointed to teach at the University of Berlin.
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Magne Furuholmen(Norwegian Musician and Visual Artist)
Birthdate: November 1, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Magne Furuholmen is a Norwegian visual artist and musician known for founding the popular synth-pop band A-ha where he plays the keyboard and guitar. Thanks to the popularity of the band, Furuholmen has achieved international fame. As a songwriter, Furuholmen has delivered hits like Cry Wolf and Manhattan Skyline. He has also held exhibitions across Norway as a visual artist.
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Knut Hamsun(One of the Most Influential Norwegian Writers & Winner of the 1920 Nobel Prize in Literature.)
Birthdate: August 4, 1859
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Lom Municipality, Norway
Died: February 19, 1952
Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian author Knut Hamsun, a leading figure of neo-romanticism, is best remembered for his novel Hunger, which narrated the tale of a starving writer. With little education, he had started his career as a shoemaker’s apprentice. He supported the Nazi occupation of Norway and was later imprisoned.
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Ole Einar Bjørndalen(Norwegian Professional Biathlete and Coach)
Birthdate: January 27, 1974
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Drammen, Norway
Ole Einar Bjørndalen is a Norwegian former biathlete and coach. Nicknamed the King of Biathlon, Bjørndalen has 13 Winter Olympic Games medals under his belt and is second only to Marit Bjørgen, who has 15 medals, in the list of multiple medalists. Having won 45 medals, Ole Einar Bjørndalen is also the most successful biathlete at the Biathlon World Championships.
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Tarjei Sandvik Moe(Norwegian Actor Best Known for His Role as ‘Isak Valtersen’ in the TV Series ‘Skam’)
Birthdate: May 24, 1999
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Norwegian actor Tarjei Sandvik Moe is best known for his award-winning portrayal of Isak Valtersen in the series Skam. While his character in the series was praised for its unusually frank depiction of homosexuality, unknown to many, he had skipped a math class to audition for the role.
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Morten Gamst Pedersen(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Played as a Midfielder)
Birthdate: September 8, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Vadsø, Norway
Norwegian footballer Morten Gamst Pedersen who created headlines for being active in the game even at age 40, has previously been a star for the Blackburn Rovers. The Åsane midfielder is the son of former footballer Ernst Pedersen. He has also scored a hit song as part of the boyband The Players.
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Petter Solberg(Rally driver)
Birthdate: November 18, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Askim
Norwegian rally and rallycross driver Petter Solberg was a teenager when he won the Norwegian Tamiya Cup and later won 10 FIA World Rallycross Championships and 13 World Rally Championships. He is married to Pernilla Walfridsson, who is herself a leading former rally driver and the daughter of rally driver Per-Inge "Pi" Walfridsson.
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Karsten Warholm(Norwegian Sprinter and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Birthdate: February 28, 1996
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ulsteinvik, Møre og Romsdal, Norway
Karsten Warholm is a Norwegian athlete who won the gold medal in the men's 400 meters hurdles event at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Apart from winning the gold medal, he also broke his own world record by finishing the race in 45.94 seconds. In 2021, Karsten Warholm won the prestigious World Male Athlete of the Year award.
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Tore André Flo(Norwegian Former Professional Football Striker and Coach)
Birthdate: June 15, 1973
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Flo, Norway
Norwegian striker Tore André Flo has also represented renowned clubs, including Chelsea and Leeds United as a player, winning multiple titles with the former, such as the FA Cup. He comes from a family of footballers and is also known for his decade-long association with Chelsea as their coaching staff.
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Fenriz(Musician Best Known as Being One Half of the Extreme Metal Duo 'Darkthrone')
Birthdate: November 28, 1971
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kolbotn, Norway
Fenriz is a Norwegian musician, online radio host, and part-time music journalist. He is best known as one half of the popular extreme metal duo Darkthrone. Although he is known mainly as a drummer and songwriter, Fenriz has also contributed as a guitarist, bassist, and vocalist for not only Darkthrone but also for many other metal bands.
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Paul Waaktaar-Savoy(Norwegian Musician and Songwriter)
Birthdate: September 6, 1961
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tonsenhagen, Oslo, Norway
Paul Waaktaar-Savoy is a Norwegian guitarist, songwriter, and musician. He is best known for his association with the popular synth-pop band A-ha, where he performs as a guitarist apart from being the main songwriter. Paul Waaktaar-Savoy is the recipient of two Spellemannprisen, which is referred to as the Norwegian Grammy Awards.
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John Carew(Norwegian Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Forward)
Birthdate: September 5, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lørenskog, Akershus, Norway
Norwegian former footballer John Carew has had successful stints with clubs such as Valencia, Aston Villa, and Lyon. He has also scored 24 goals for the Norwegian national team. Post-retirement, he stepped into acting, with roles in movies such as Dead of Winter and series such as Heimebane.
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Omar Elabdellaoui(Norwegian Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Right Back and as a Right Midfielder)
Birthdate: December 5, 1991
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Omar Elabdellaoui is a Norwegian football player best known for his association with the Olympiacos Football Club with which he has won four Super League Greece tournaments. Omar Elabdellaoui has also been an important player for the Norwegian national team since 2013.
Birthdate: December 26, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lørenskog Municipality, Norway
Aksel Lund Svindal is a former alpine ski racer. A two-time World Cup champion, Svindal is widely regarded as the best Norwegian alpine skier of all time. During the course of his illustrious career, Aksel Lund Svindal won two Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and an Olympic bronze medal. He also won five gold medals at World Championships.
Be it Erik Rotheim’s Aerosol Spray or Thor Bjorklund’s modern cheese slicer, Henrik Johan Ibsen’s plays and poetry or Harald Eia’s comedy, Carl Anton Larsen’s Antarctic exploration or Vilhelm Bjerknes’s meteorological findings, Norwegian men have made country stand on a universal platform. Their work and deeds have inspired and influenced the life of many in and around the globe. With this section, find out the life and works of famous Norwegian men.
