Hjalmar Johansen

Fredrik Hjalmar Johansen (May 15, 1867 - January 9, 1913) was one of Norway's most famous polar explorers and gymnasts. He joined Fridtjof Nansen's polar expedition with Fram in 1893 and went on ski farthermost north with him in 1895/96. On their return to Norway the crew was celebrated as heroes. Johansen was promoted to captain in the infantry, a role he didn't manage. He drank heavily and left the army. He rehabilitated during his stay at Spitzbergen from 1907 to 1909.

In 1910 he was one of Roald Amundsen's men in Antarctica. Amundsen started out too early because of his race with Robert Scott and had to return to base camp. Johansen disagreed with the early start and rescued a member from freezing to death on the return. A quarrel with Amundsen resulted in his dismissing Johansen from the party heading for the South Pole. This led to a vicious circle that ended in Johansen's suicide in the new year 1913.

Hjalmar Johansen was a man of a simple and kind character who helped his comrades with his physical strength. A master of muscular activity he was without deeper self-reflecting power and needed the support of the people around him; without it, he was ashamed of himself.