Kristian Kristiansen (explorer) explained

Kristian Kristiansen
Birth Date:16 February 1865
Birth Place:Steinkjer, Norway
Death Place:Steinkjer, Norway
Nationality:Norwegian
Known For:Greenland expedition 1888

Kristian Kristiansen (16 February 1865 - 30 June 1943) was a Norwegian explorer who participated in the Greenland expedition of 1888 arranged by Fridtjof Nansen. This was the first documented crossing of Greenland.[1] [2] [3]

Biography

Kristian Kristiansen was born on the Trana farm in Ogndal parish at Steinkjer in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. He first became acquainted with Otto Sverdrup after Sverdrup's father Ulrik bought the Trana farm in 1874. Kristiansen achieved notoriety as a cross-country skier when he, as a 13-year-old, came second in a competition for 16-year-olds.[4] [5]

In 1888 both Otto Sverdrup and Kristian Kristiansen were selected by Fridtjof Nansen to attend the expedition across Greenland. Nansen took him on the recommendation of Sverdrup. The other participants were Oluf Christian Dietrichson, Samuel Balto and Ole Nilsen Ravna.[6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Returning to Norway in 1889 was a tribute journey. Kristiansen received medals of merit from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. During the remainder of his life, Kristiansen lived and worked principally at Sneppen in the city center of Steinkjer. He spent most of his career employed by the steamship company, Indherreds Aktie-Dampskibsselskab, which was headquartered in Steinkjer.[11] [12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kristiansen, Kristian. steinkjerleksikonet.no . 1 May 2017.
  2. Web site: Kristian Kristiansen (1865-1943). Fram Museum . 1 December 2020.
  3. Web site: The First Crossing of Greenland (1888-1889) . Fram Museum . 1 December 2020.
  4. Book: Per Egil Hegge. 1996 . Otto Sverdrup: aldri rådløs. Stenersens forlag. 34. 9788272011986.
  5. Web site: Trana øvre. Ogndal herad. Nord-Trøndelag . Matrikkelutkastet av 1950. 1 May 2017.
  6. Book: Nansen, Fridtjof . Fridtjof Nansen . 1961 . 1890 . På ski over Grønland. 12 . H. Aschehoug & Co . Oslo .
  7. Web site: O.C. Dietrichson. Norsk Polar Historie . 1 May 2017.
  8. Web site: Otto Sverdrup. Norsk Polar Historie. 1 May 2017.
  9. Web site: Samuel Balto. Norsk Polar Historie. 1 May 2017.
  10. Web site: Ole N. Ravna. Norsk Polar Historie. 1 May 2017.
  11. Web site: Indherreds Aktie-Dampskibsselskab. steinkjerleksikonet.no. 1 May 2017.
  12. Web site: Indherreds Aktie-Dampskibsselskab. lokalhistoriewiki.no. 1 May 2017.