The diplomat

For several years prior to the dissolution of the Union between Sweden and Norway in 1905, Nansen had taken a close interest in the two countries’ status within the union.

In connection with the dissolution of the Union in 1905, Nansen was sent as an emissary by Prime Minister Christian Michelsen to present Norway’s case in London. In this context Norway benefited from Nansen’s international fame. After his stay in London, Nansen was sent to Copenhagen to persuade the Danish prince Carl to become Norway’s king. Nansen was also Norway’s first ambassador to Great Britain 1906-1908. The most important diplomatic task during this period was to negotiate the Integrity Treaty of 1907, in which the major European powers promised to support Norway against anything that might threaten the country’s independence.