List of University of Oslo people

Fridtjof Nansen was Professor of Zoology, but was internationally better known as an explorer and humanitarian, served as the League of Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was elected Rector of the university in 1919, but never took office.

The list of University of Oslo people includes notable academics and alumni affiliated with the University of Oslo (before 1939 the Royal Frederick University). The University of Oslo is Norway's oldest, and was its only university until 1946; hence its academics and alumni include a large number of the country's prominent academic and public figures.

Academics

Prior to 1990, all (full) Professors were appointed by the King-in-Council.

Zoology

• Fridtjof Nansen, appointed to a chair in zoology 1897; in 1908 the chair was changed to a personal professorship in oceanography.

Economists

Arne Næss, founder of deep ecology, served as a Professor of Philosophy 1939–1970.

• Ragnar Frisch
• Trygve Haavelmo

Chemistry

• Odd Hassel

Physics

• Ivar Giaever

Historians

• Peter Andreas Munch
• Francis Bull
• Halvdan Koht
• Geir Lundestad
• Jens Arup Seip
• Francis Sejersted, professor of social and economic history, and chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee
• Arnved Nedkvitne

Law

• Claus Winter Hjelm, Professor of Law, subsequently Supreme Court judge
• Bredo Henrik von Munthe af Morgenstierne, Professor of Law, Rector of the university
• Francis Hagerup
• Frede Castberg, Professor of Law, Recto of the university
• Johannes Andenæs, Professor of Jurisprudence, Rector of the university
• Torstein Eckhoff
• Carl August Fleischer
• Mads H. Andenæs
• Tove Stang Dahl, pioneer of women's law
• Jon Bing
• Peter Lødrup
• Frederik Zimmer
• Tone Sverdrup
• Lucy Smith
• Carsten Smith, Professor of Law, subsequently Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
• Eivind Smith
• Knut Selmer
• Sjur Brækhus
• Aage Thor Falkanger
• Kirsti Strøm Bull
• Anders Bratholm

Philosophers

• Arne Næss, philosopher

Political scientists

• Bernt Hagtvet
• Janne Haaland Matlary, professor of political science
• Iver B. Neumann, Professor of Russian Studies

Sociologists and criminologists

Johan Galtung, principal founder of peace and conflict studies, held the world's first chair in that discipline 1969–1977

• Johan Galtung, founder of peace and conflict studies, held the world's first chair in that discipline at the University of Oslo 1969–1977
• Vilhelm Aubert
• Thomas Mathiesen
• Nils Christie
• Erik Grønseth
• Willy Pedersen
• Geir Høgsnes
• Fredrik Engelstad

Social anthropology

• Fredrik Barth
• Unni Wikan

Palaeontology

• Jørn Hurum, Associate Professor at the Natural History Museum, known for his work on the Darwinius fossil

Geology

• Adolf Hoel, one of the leading Arctic researchers in the first half of the 20th century, founder of the Norwegian Polar Institute and credited for Norway obtaining the sovereignty over Svalbard and Queen Maud Land. The mineral hoelite and the Hoel Mountains are named in his honour. He also served as Rector of the university.

Linguistics

• Didrik Arup Seip, Professor of North Germanic languages. He also served as Rector of the university.
• Finn-Erik Vinje

Notable aumni

Heads of government

Jens Stoltenberg, the current Prime Minister of Norway, graduated as an economist at the University of Oslo in 1987

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and Director General of the World Health Organization, graduated as a physician at the University of Oslo in 1963

• Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. oecon.)
• Thorbjørn Jagland, Prime Minister of Norway (exam. oecon.)
• Jan P. Syse, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Kåre Willoch, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. oecon.)
• Gro Harlem Brundtland, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. med.)
• John Lyng, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Ingolf Elster Christensen, Chairman of the Administrative Council (cand. jur.)
• Johan Ludwig Mowinckel, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. philos.)
• Otto B. Halvorsen, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Otto Albert Blehr, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Gunnar Knudsen, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. philos.)
• Wollert Konow (SB), Prime Minister of Norway (law student, but did not graduate)
• Francis Hagerup, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur. and dr. juris.), he was also Professor of Law at the University of Oslo
• Johannes Steen, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. philol.)
• Emil Stang, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Johan Sverdrup, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Christian Schweigaard, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Christian August Selmer, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)
• Frederik Stang, Prime Minister of Norway (cand. jur.)

Government and politics

• Petrit Selimi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo

Arts and media

• Harald Eia, comedian (cand.polit. in sociology)

Lawyers and judges

• Tore Schei, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Carsten Smith, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Erling Sandene, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Rolv Ryssdal, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Terje Wold, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway (also Minister of Justice and the Police)
• Sverre Grette, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Emil Stang (born 1882), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Paal Berg, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway (also Minister of Justice and the Police)
• Herman Scheel, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway (also Minister of Justice and the Police)
• Karenus Kristofer Thinn, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Einar Løchen, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway (also Minister of Justice and the Police)
• Morten Diderik Emil Lambrechts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway
• Iver Steen Thomle, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway (also Minister of Justice and the Police)
• Hans Gerhard Colbjørnsen Meldahl, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway (also Minister of Justice and the Police)
• Peder Carl Lasson, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway (also Minister of Justice and the Police)