The scientist

After the FramExpedition, Nansen was appointed professor of zoology at the university. He dedicated ever more of his time to oceanography and in 1908 his position at the university was converted to a professorship in oceanography. It was as an oceanographer Nansen did his most important scientific work, and Nansen is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern physical oceanography, not least based on the work “The Norwegian Sea” which he published together with Bjørn Helland-Hansen in 1909.

 

Nansen was also active in other disciplines, including history and sociology. In 1911 he published the cultural history “In Northern Mists” which describes the history of travel and exploration in the Arctic up to the 1500s. Nansen also wrote a series of books and articles about political issues, both domestic and international.