Carl Platou
Encyclopedia
Carl Nicolai Stoud Platou (25 July 1885 – 1 February 1956) was a Norwegian civil servant and politician. A jurist by education, he is best known for his civil servant career in the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police
, which spanned from 1911 to 1941. He was promoted to deputy under-secretary of state in 1926, but was dismissed and later incarcerated for listening to hostile radio in 1941, during the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
. He returned after the war as Chief Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Police in May 1945 and County Governor of Akershus and Oslo from 1945 to 1955. He had been involved in politics before the war as well, as deputy mayor of Aker
.
as the son of jurist Carl Ludvig Stoud Platou (1841–1898) and his wife Mette Marie Grüner Christiansen (1846–1927). He was a grandson of Carl Nicolai Stoud Platou, Sr
, nephew of Valborg Platou and Lars Hannibal Sommerfeldt Stoud Platou
, grandnephew of Fredrik Christian Stoud Platou and great-grandson of Ludvig Stoud Platou
. Oscar Ludvig Stoud Platou
was his first cousin once removed.
In January 1911 he married Astri Nilssen (1887–1963). His daughter Ellen married mathematician Erik Magnus Alfsen.
, finished
his secondary education in 1902 and enrolled in law studies at the University of Oslo
. He graduated with the cand.jur. degree in 1908, and worked as a law clerk in Elverum
for two years. He then worked one year as a lawyer's clerk in Kristiania before being hired as a secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police
. In 1915 he was promoted to subdirector. In 1925 he spent one year in auditing before being promoted to deputy under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Justice.
He represented a non-partisan list in Aker
municipal council from the 1920s, and served as deputy mayor from 1930 to 1931. He was also the chair
of Akers Elektrisitetsverk from 1927 to 1935 and a member of the board of Akers Sparebank and Freia
. He also held lectures at the University of Oslo, and was a member of several public commissions and committees.
invaded
and occupied Norway
. When the royal family
and the sitting cabinet Nygaardsvold
fled the capital city, Platou followed, but when the German occupation was consolidated, Platou was back in Oslo. German Reichskommissar
Josef Terboven
soon dominated Norwegian politics, and already in October he expressed a wish to remove Platou from office. However, the Nazi Minister of Justice since September, Sverre Riisnæs
, refused. Vidkun Quisling supported Riisnæs in this case. Following a loyalty declaration, Platou was allowed to continue. However, it was clear to all involved that Platou as well as other employees were far from Nazi or Fascist. To balance the situation, the authorities brought in an orthodox Nazi, Reinholdt Breien, an an additional under-secretary.
Platou was largely loyal during his one year in the Nazi-controlled Minister of Justice. When the pre-war Supreme Court Justices
laid down their offices in December 1940, Platou participated in appointing the new, collaborationist Supreme Court Justices—though these were not first and foremost drawn from the Fascist milieu. In October 1941, however, Riisnæs found Platou in his office with two clerks, listening to Norwegian resistance
broadcasts from London
. It was well known by Nazi leaders that Riisnæs and other prominent figures were denounced in these broadcasts. After discussing this with friend and high-ranking German official Rolf Schiedermair, Riisnæs reported the incident to the police. It is accepted that Riisnæs had few personal reasons to do so, however, considering the possible political implications the message had to be sent. Platou tried to avoid the whole issue by resigning, but was nonetheless apprehended by Nazi authorities. He was incarcerated at Møllergata 19
, Grini and Bredtveit before being released in December 1942.
, Platou made a comeback on the political scene. As the exiled Nygaardsvold cabinet did not return immediately, Chief Officers were appointed by the Home Front to ensure the restoration of the liberal democratic
regime. Platou was among the Chief Officers, heading the Ministry of Justice and the Police. A so-called government delegation, consisting of exiled politicians but not the actual cabinet members, was set up on 8 May, deletages reaching Norway between 12 and 14 May. On the latter date, Platou was succeeded by Terje Wold
. On 1 November 1945 Platou took the vacant seat as County Governor of Akershus and Oslo, and sat until his retirement in 1955. He was also the depury chairman of the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association from 1946 to 1951 and a board member of Det Norske Luftfartselskap
from 1946. In 1955, his year of retirement, he became secretary of the pensioners' association Landslaget for statspensjonister, succeeding Ingrid Skotte.
Platou was decorated as a Commander of the Order of St. Olav, the Swedish Order of Vasa
and the Finnish Order of the White Rose
, as well as Grand Cross of the Danish Order of the Dannebrog
. He died in February 1956 in Oslo.
Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police is a Norwegian government ministry in charge of justice, police and domestic intelligence. The main purpose of the Ministry is to provide for the maintenance and development of the basic guarantees of the rule of law...
, which spanned from 1911 to 1941. He was promoted to deputy under-secretary of state in 1926, but was dismissed and later incarcerated for listening to hostile radio in 1941, during the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
. He returned after the war as Chief Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Police in May 1945 and County Governor of Akershus and Oslo from 1945 to 1955. He had been involved in politics before the war as well, as deputy mayor of Aker
Aker, Norway
Aker is a former municipality in Akershus, which lends its name to a municipality and a county in Norway. The name originally belonged to a farm which was located near the current Old Aker Church...
.
Personal life
He was born in BergenBergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
as the son of jurist Carl Ludvig Stoud Platou (1841–1898) and his wife Mette Marie Grüner Christiansen (1846–1927). He was a grandson of Carl Nicolai Stoud Platou, Sr
Carl Nicolai Stoud Platou
Carl Nicolai Stoud Platou was a Norwegian civil servant and politician.-Personal life:He was born in Christiania as a son of educator, professor, politician and State Secretary Ludvig Stoud Platou and his wife Karen Lumholtz...
, nephew of Valborg Platou and Lars Hannibal Sommerfeldt Stoud Platou
Lars Hannibal Sommerfeldt Stoud Platou
Lars Hannibal Sommerfeldt Stoud Platou was a Norwegian psychiatrist.He was born in Bergen as a son of burgomaster Carl Nicolai Stoud Platou and his wife Christence Dorothea Plade Nielsen...
, grandnephew of Fredrik Christian Stoud Platou and great-grandson of Ludvig Stoud Platou
Ludvig Stoud Platou
Ludvig Stoud Platou was a Danish-Norwegian educator, historical and geographical writer, politician and State Secretary.-Personal life:...
. Oscar Ludvig Stoud Platou
Oscar Ludvig Stoud Platou
Oscar Ludvig Stoud Platou was a Norwegian jurist. After fourteen years as an assessor in Oslo City Court from 1876 to 1890, he was a professor at the Royal Frederick University from 1890 to 1920; the last five years while suffering from blindness.-Personal life:He was born in Christiania as the...
was his first cousin once removed.
In January 1911 he married Astri Nilssen (1887–1963). His daughter Ellen married mathematician Erik Magnus Alfsen.
Career
Platou grew up in KristianiaOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, finished
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
his secondary education in 1902 and enrolled in law studies at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. He graduated with the cand.jur. degree in 1908, and worked as a law clerk in Elverum
Elverum
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Elverum...
for two years. He then worked one year as a lawyer's clerk in Kristiania before being hired as a secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police
Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police is a Norwegian government ministry in charge of justice, police and domestic intelligence. The main purpose of the Ministry is to provide for the maintenance and development of the basic guarantees of the rule of law...
. In 1915 he was promoted to subdirector. In 1925 he spent one year in auditing before being promoted to deputy under-secretary of state in the Ministry of Justice.
He represented a non-partisan list in Aker
Aker, Norway
Aker is a former municipality in Akershus, which lends its name to a municipality and a county in Norway. The name originally belonged to a farm which was located near the current Old Aker Church...
municipal council from the 1920s, and served as deputy mayor from 1930 to 1931. He was also the chair
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of Akers Elektrisitetsverk from 1927 to 1935 and a member of the board of Akers Sparebank and Freia
Freia (chocolate)
Freia is a Norwegian chocolate candy manufacturing company. The company is famous for Freia Melkesjokolade and Kvikk Lunsj, as well as for other candy and dessert products.-History:...
. He also held lectures at the University of Oslo, and was a member of several public commissions and committees.
World War II
In the spring of 1940, Nazi GermanyNazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
invaded
Operation Weserübung
Operation Weserübung was the code name for Germany's assault on Denmark and Norway during the Second World War and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign...
and occupied Norway
Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany started with the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, and ended on May 8, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. Throughout this period, Norway was continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht...
. When the royal family
Norwegian Royal Family
The Royal Family of Norway is the family of King Harald V of Norway. In Norway there is a distinction between the Royal House and the Royal Family. The Royal House includes only the King and his spouse, the Queen, the King's eldest son with spouse, being the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and the...
and the sitting cabinet Nygaardsvold
Cabinet Nygaardsvold
Nygaardsvold's Cabinet was appointed on 20 March 1935, the second Labour cabinet in Norway. It closed the brought to an end the non-socialist, minority Governments that had been dominating politics since the introduction of the parliamentary system in 1884, and replaced it with stable, Labour...
fled the capital city, Platou followed, but when the German occupation was consolidated, Platou was back in Oslo. German Reichskommissar
Reichskommissar
Reichskommissar , in German history, was an official gubernatorial title used for various public offices during the period of the German Empire and the Nazi Third Reich....
Josef Terboven
Josef Terboven
Josef Antonius Heinrich Terboven was a Nazi leader, best known as the Reichskommissar during the German occupation of Norway.-Early life:...
soon dominated Norwegian politics, and already in October he expressed a wish to remove Platou from office. However, the Nazi Minister of Justice since September, Sverre Riisnæs
Sverre Riisnæs
Sverre Parelius Riisnæs was a Norwegian jurist and public prosecutor who was born 6 November 1897 in Vik, Sogn county and died 21 June 1988 in Oslo...
, refused. Vidkun Quisling supported Riisnæs in this case. Following a loyalty declaration, Platou was allowed to continue. However, it was clear to all involved that Platou as well as other employees were far from Nazi or Fascist. To balance the situation, the authorities brought in an orthodox Nazi, Reinholdt Breien, an an additional under-secretary.
Platou was largely loyal during his one year in the Nazi-controlled Minister of Justice. When the pre-war Supreme Court Justices
Supreme Court of Norway
The Supreme Court of Norway was established in 1815 on the basis of the Constitution of Norway's §88, prescribing an independent judiciary. It is located in Oslo and is Norway's highest court...
laid down their offices in December 1940, Platou participated in appointing the new, collaborationist Supreme Court Justices—though these were not first and foremost drawn from the Fascist milieu. In October 1941, however, Riisnæs found Platou in his office with two clerks, listening to Norwegian resistance
Norwegian resistance movement
The Norwegian resistance to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms:...
broadcasts from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was well known by Nazi leaders that Riisnæs and other prominent figures were denounced in these broadcasts. After discussing this with friend and high-ranking German official Rolf Schiedermair, Riisnæs reported the incident to the police. It is accepted that Riisnæs had few personal reasons to do so, however, considering the possible political implications the message had to be sent. Platou tried to avoid the whole issue by resigning, but was nonetheless apprehended by Nazi authorities. He was incarcerated at Møllergata 19
Møllergata 19
Møllergata 19 is an address in Oslo, Norway where the city's main police station and jail was located. The address gained notoriety during the German occupation from 1940 to 1945, when the Nazi security police kept its headquarters here...
, Grini and Bredtveit before being released in December 1942.
Post-war career and legacy
When Norway was liberated on 8 May 1945Victory in Europe Day
Victory in Europe Day commemorates 8 May 1945 , the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The formal surrender of the occupying German forces in the Channel Islands was not...
, Platou made a comeback on the political scene. As the exiled Nygaardsvold cabinet did not return immediately, Chief Officers were appointed by the Home Front to ensure the restoration of the liberal democratic
Liberal democracy
Liberal democracy, also known as constitutional democracy, is a common form of representative democracy. According to the principles of liberal democracy, elections should be free and fair, and the political process should be competitive...
regime. Platou was among the Chief Officers, heading the Ministry of Justice and the Police. A so-called government delegation, consisting of exiled politicians but not the actual cabinet members, was set up on 8 May, deletages reaching Norway between 12 and 14 May. On the latter date, Platou was succeeded by Terje Wold
Terje Wold
Terje Wold was a Norwegian judge and politician for the Labour Party.Terje Wold was born in Evenes. He graduated as cand.jur. in 1921. He worked as a jurist, becoming a Supreme Court Justice of Norway in 1950. From 1958 to 1969 he was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court...
. On 1 November 1945 Platou took the vacant seat as County Governor of Akershus and Oslo, and sat until his retirement in 1955. He was also the depury chairman of the Norwegian Folk Art and Craft Association from 1946 to 1951 and a board member of Det Norske Luftfartselskap
Det Norske Luftfartselskap
Det Norske Luftfartselskap A/S or DNL, trading internationally as Norwegian Air Lines, was an airline and flag carrier of Norway. Founded in 1927, it operated domestic and international routes from 1935 to 1941 and from 1946 to 1951...
from 1946. In 1955, his year of retirement, he became secretary of the pensioners' association Landslaget for statspensjonister, succeeding Ingrid Skotte.
Platou was decorated as a Commander of the Order of St. Olav, the Swedish Order of Vasa
Order of Vasa
The Royal Order of Vasa was a Swedish Royal order of chivalry, awarded to citizens of Sweden for service to state and society especially in the fields of agriculture, mining and commerce. It was instituted on 29 May 1772 by King Gustav III of Sweden...
and the Finnish Order of the White Rose
Order of the White Rose
The Order of the White Rose of Finland is one of three official orders in Finland, along with the Order of the Cross of Liberty, and the Order of the Lion of Finland. The President of Finland is the Grand Master of all three orders. The orders are administered by boards consisting of a chancellor,...
, as well as Grand Cross of the Danish Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
. He died in February 1956 in Oslo.