Nansen, Fridtjof

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Nansen, Fridtjof (1861–1930) Norwegian explorer and statesman. After a pioneering crossing of Greenland in 1888, Nansen built a ship that would withstand ice in the hope that currents would carry her to the North Pole. She did not reach the Pole, but crossed the Arctic Ocean in the ice undamaged (1893–96). Nansen attempted to reach the Pole with skis and kayaks. He failed but set a record for farthest north. After 1918 Nansen was involved in international humanitarian work. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.

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