Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters
Encyclopedia
The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters is a learned society
based in Trondheim
, Norway
.
Johan Ernst Gunnerus
, headmaster at the Trondheim Cathedral School Gerhard Schøning
and Councillor of State Peter Frederik Suhm
under the name Det Trondhiemske Selskab (the Trondheim Society). From 1761 it published academic papers in a series titled Skrifter. It was the northernmost learned society in the world, and was established in a time when Norway did not have universities or colleges.
It received the royal affirmation of its statutes on 17 July 1767, and was given its present name at a ceremony on 29 January 1788, the king
's birthday. In 1771, when Johann Friedrich Struensee
took over the de facto rule of Denmark-Norway, Johan Ernst Gunnerus was summoned to Copenhagen
, where he was given the mission to establish a university in Norway. Gunnerus did not suggest that the university be established in Trondhjem, but in southern Christianssand
(Kristiansand), due to its proximity to Jutland
. If this happened, he would have the Society of Sciences and Letters moved to Christianssand, to correspond with the new university. However, the plan was never carried out. Struensee's reign ended in 1772, but he reportedly dismissed the plan before this. (Kristiansand got its university in 2007.)
The society was housed in the premises of Trondheim Cathedral School
until 1866, when it acquired its own localities. Since 1903 its main task was to run a museum
. In 1926 there was a split in which the museum became a separate entity, receiving the assets of the learned society. Also in 1926, another publication series Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskab Forhandlinger was inaugurated. Ownership of the museum was transferred to the University of Trondheim in 1968, today the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
, but DKNVS re-received some assets in a 1984 reorganization, and now controls these assets through the foundation DKNVSS.
A history of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters was written in 1960 by Hans Midbøe, and released in two volumes.
. Other board members are Hanna Mustaparta, Britt Dale, Ola Dale, Joar Grimsbu and Asbjørn Moen. The daily administration is led by a secretary-general; Kristian Overskaug. The board is responsible for awarding the Gunnerus Medal
for academic achievement. The medal was inaugurated in 1927.
Before 1815, the sitting King held the title of praeses, while the highest-ranked non-royal member was vice praeses. In the tradition of Gunnerus the bishop, the latter post was filled by clerics until 1820, when Christian Krohg
took the seat. From 1815 the King holds the title of "protector". Today King Harald V of Norway
is protector of the society.
Members of the learned society are divided into two divisions, Letters and Sciences. In 2005 there were 470 members, of whom 134 were foreign. This is a marked increase from 1996, when it had 399 members, of whom 94 were foreign.
Protector (praeses until 1815)
Praeses (vice praeses until 1815)
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
based in Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
.
History
DKNVS was founded in 1760 by bishop of NidarosDiocese of Nidaros
Nidaros is a diocese in the Lutheran Church of Norway. It covers Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag counties and its cathedral city is Trondheim, which houses the well-known Nidaros Cathedral. The diocese is divided into 12 deaneries . Finn Wagle was the bishop from 1991 to 2008...
Johan Ernst Gunnerus
Johan Ernst Gunnerus
Johan Ernst Gunnerus was a Norwegian bishop and botanist. Gunnerus was born at Christiania. He was bishop of the Diocese of Nidaros from 1758 until his death and also a professor of theology at the University of Copenhagen....
, headmaster at the Trondheim Cathedral School Gerhard Schøning
Gerhard Schøning
Gerhard Schøning was a Norwegian historian. His Reise som giennem en Deel af Norge i de Aar 1773, 1774, 1775 paa Hans Majestets Kongens Bekostning documenting travel through Trondheim, Gudbrandsdal and Hedmark, Norway in 1773–1775 has been recognized as both a historical reference and as a "minor...
and Councillor of State Peter Frederik Suhm
Peter Frederik Suhm
Peter Frederik Suhm , was a Danish-Norwegian historian and Councillor of State.Suhm studied at the University of Copenhagen in 1746-1751, and one of his teacher was Ludvig Holberg...
under the name Det Trondhiemske Selskab (the Trondheim Society). From 1761 it published academic papers in a series titled Skrifter. It was the northernmost learned society in the world, and was established in a time when Norway did not have universities or colleges.
It received the royal affirmation of its statutes on 17 July 1767, and was given its present name at a ceremony on 29 January 1788, the king
Christian VII of Denmark
Christian VII was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Schleswig and Holstein from 1766 until his death. He was the son of Danish King Frederick V and his first consort Louisa, daughter of King George II of Great Britain....
's birthday. In 1771, when Johann Friedrich Struensee
Johann Friedrich Struensee
Count Johann Friedrich Struensee was a German doctor. He became royal physician to the mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark and a minister in the Danish government. He rose in power to a position of “de facto” regent of the country, where he tried to carry out widespread reforms...
took over the de facto rule of Denmark-Norway, Johan Ernst Gunnerus was summoned to Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, where he was given the mission to establish a university in Norway. Gunnerus did not suggest that the university be established in Trondhjem, but in southern Christianssand
Kristiansand
-History:As indicated by archeological findings in the city, the Kristiansand area has been settled at least since 400 AD. A royal farm is known to have been situated on Oddernes as early as 800, and the first church was built around 1040...
(Kristiansand), due to its proximity to Jutland
Jutland
Jutland , historically also called Cimbria, is the name of the peninsula that juts out in Northern Europe toward the rest of Scandinavia, forming the mainland part of Denmark. It has the North Sea to its west, Kattegat and Skagerrak to its north, the Baltic Sea to its east, and the Danish–German...
. If this happened, he would have the Society of Sciences and Letters moved to Christianssand, to correspond with the new university. However, the plan was never carried out. Struensee's reign ended in 1772, but he reportedly dismissed the plan before this. (Kristiansand got its university in 2007.)
The society was housed in the premises of Trondheim Cathedral School
Trondheim Katedralskole
Trondheim katedralskole is an upper secondary school located next to the Nidaros Cathedral in the center of Trondheim, Norway....
until 1866, when it acquired its own localities. Since 1903 its main task was to run a museum
NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology
Museum of Natural History and Archaeology is a department of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway with collections and displays related to natural history and cultural history....
. In 1926 there was a split in which the museum became a separate entity, receiving the assets of the learned society. Also in 1926, another publication series Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskab Forhandlinger was inaugurated. Ownership of the museum was transferred to the University of Trondheim in 1968, today the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology , commonly known as NTNU, is located in Trondheim. NTNU is the second largest of the eight universities in Norway, and, as its name suggests, has the main national responsibility for higher education in engineering and technology...
, but DKNVS re-received some assets in a 1984 reorganization, and now controls these assets through the foundation DKNVSS.
A history of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters was written in 1960 by Hans Midbøe, and released in two volumes.
Organisation
The board of directors consists of seven people, five men and two women. It is led by praeses Steinar Supphellen and vice-praeses Kristian FossheimKristian Fossheim
Kristian Johan Fossheim is a Norwegian physicist.He was born in Jølster. He took the dr.philos. degree in 1972, was an associate professor at the Norwegian Institute of Technology from 1970 to 1980, and professor from 1980...
. Other board members are Hanna Mustaparta, Britt Dale, Ola Dale, Joar Grimsbu and Asbjørn Moen. The daily administration is led by a secretary-general; Kristian Overskaug. The board is responsible for awarding the Gunnerus Medal
Gunnerus Medal
The Gunnerus Medal is a medal awarded by the learned society Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters.It was inaugurated in 1927, and named after Johan Ernst Gunnerus, founder of the learned society...
for academic achievement. The medal was inaugurated in 1927.
Before 1815, the sitting King held the title of praeses, while the highest-ranked non-royal member was vice praeses. In the tradition of Gunnerus the bishop, the latter post was filled by clerics until 1820, when Christian Krohg
Christian Krohg (government minister)
Christian Krohg was a Norwegian councillor of state without ministry in 1814, member of the Council of State Division in Stockholm 1815–1816, Minister of the Interior and Minister of Finance in 1816, Minister of Education and Church Affairs 1816–1817 as well as head of Ministry of the Police in...
took the seat. From 1815 the King holds the title of "protector". Today King Harald V of Norway
Harald V of Norway
Harald V is the king of Norway. He succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olav V on 17 January 1991...
is protector of the society.
Members of the learned society are divided into two divisions, Letters and Sciences. In 2005 there were 470 members, of whom 134 were foreign. This is a marked increase from 1996, when it had 399 members, of whom 94 were foreign.
Heads of the society
This is a list of the heads of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters:Protector (praeses until 1815)
- 1772–1805 : Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark-NorwayFrederick VI of DenmarkFrederick VI reigned as King of Denmark , and as king of Norway .-Regent of Denmark:Frederick's parents were King Christian VII and Caroline Matilda of Wales...
- 1805–1814 : Crown Prince Christian Frederick of Denmark-NorwayChristian VIII of DenmarkChristian VIII , was king of Denmark from 1839 to 1848 and, as Christian Frederick, king of Norway in 1814. He was the eldest son of Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway and Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, born in 1786 at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen...
- 1814–1815 : vacant
- 1815–1818 : Crown Prince Charles III John of Norway and SwedenCharles XIV John of SwedenCharles XIV & III John, also Carl John, Swedish and Norwegian: Karl Johan was King of Sweden and King of Norway from 1818 until his death...
- 1818–1859 : Oscar I of Norway and SwedenOscar I of SwedenOscar I was King of Sweden and Norway from 1844 to his death. When, in August 1810, his father Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was elected Crown Prince of Sweden, Oscar and his mother moved from Paris to Stockholm . Oscar's father was the first ruler of the current House of Bernadotte...
- 1859–1872 : Charles IV of Norway and SwedenCharles XV of SwedenCharles XV & IV also Carl ; Swedish and Norwegian: Karl was King of Sweden and Norway from 1859 until his death....
- 1872–1905 : Oscar II of Norway and SwedenOscar II of SwedenOscar II , baptised Oscar Fredrik was King of Sweden from 1872 until his death and King of Norway from 1872 until 1905. The third son of King Oscar I of Sweden and Josephine of Leuchtenberg, he was a descendant of Gustav I of Sweden through his mother.-Early life:At his birth in Stockholm, Oscar...
- 1906–1957 : Haakon VII of NorwayHaakon VII of NorwayHaakon VII , known as Prince Carl of Denmark until 1905, was the first king of Norway after the 1905 dissolution of the personal union with Sweden. He was a member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg...
- 1957–1991 : Olav V of NorwayOlav V of NorwayOlav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway...
- 1991–present : Harald V of NorwayHarald V of NorwayHarald V is the king of Norway. He succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olav V on 17 January 1991...
Praeses (vice praeses until 1815)
- 1766–1773 : Johan Ernst GunnerusJohan Ernst GunnerusJohan Ernst Gunnerus was a Norwegian bishop and botanist. Gunnerus was born at Christiania. He was bishop of the Diocese of Nidaros from 1758 until his death and also a professor of theology at the University of Copenhagen....
- 1773–1780 : Ole IrgensOle Irgens (bishop)Ole Irgens was a bishop in the Church of Norway.He was born in Surendal to vicar Johannes Irgens. He enrolled as a student in 1741, but was examined two years later and was hired as chaplain under his father. He left in 1756 to become a ship's priest in Morocco, but citing health problems, he...
- 1780–1791 : Christian Frederik Hagerup
- 1791–1803 : Johan Christian SchønheyderJohan Christian SchønheyderJohan Christian Schønheyder was a Norwegian priest. He was the bishop of the Diocese of Nidaros from 1788 until 1803. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1742 and died in 1803 in Trondheim, Norway....
- 1804–1820 : Peter Olivarius Bugge
- 1820–1828 : Christian KrohgChristian Krohg (government minister)Christian Krohg was a Norwegian councillor of state without ministry in 1814, member of the Council of State Division in Stockholm 1815–1816, Minister of the Interior and Minister of Finance in 1816, Minister of Education and Church Affairs 1816–1817 as well as head of Ministry of the Police in...
- 1829–1832 : Niels Stockfleth Schultz
- 1832–1832 : Frederik Christoffer, greve af TrampeFrederik Christoffer, greve af TrampeFrederich Christopher, Count of Trampe was a Dano-Norwegian count and politician.-Family:His parents were Adam Frederich, Count of Trampe to Løgismose and Gertrud née Hoffmand de Poulson. He belonged to an originally Pomeranian noble family, whose noble status had been naturalised in Denmark and...
- 1833–1838 : Christian Hersleb Hornemann
- 1838–1851 : Frederik Moltke BuggeFrederik Moltke BuggeFrederik Moltke Bugge was a Norwegian philologist and educator.-Early and personal life:He was born in Trondhjem as a son of bishop Peter Olivarius Bugge and Cathrine Magdalene Koch . Bugge graduated from Trondhjem Cathedral School in 1823 and from the Royal Frederick University with the...
- 1851–1855 : Hans Jørgen DarreHans Jørgen DarreHans Jørgen Darre was a Norwegian bishop.The son of the vicar in Klæbo and constitutional founding father, Jacob Hersleb Darre, he graduated as cand.theol. in 1827 and succeeded his father as vicar in Klæbu in 1833. He was the dean in Dalerne from 1843 to 1848, and in March 1849 he took over as...
- 1855–1865 : Christian Petersen
- 1865–1870 : Andreas GrimelundAndreas GrimelundAndreas Grimelund was a Norwegian bishop.The son of a farmer in Aker, he graduated as cand.theol. in 1835. He became residing chaplain in Nannestad in 1844 and Ullensaker in 1847. He was a teacher at the theological seminary in Christiania starting in 1851, and was appointed vicar in Gerpen in 1856...
- 1870–1872 : Hans Jørgen DarreHans Jørgen DarreHans Jørgen Darre was a Norwegian bishop.The son of the vicar in Klæbo and constitutional founding father, Jacob Hersleb Darre, he graduated as cand.theol. in 1827 and succeeded his father as vicar in Klæbu in 1833. He was the dean in Dalerne from 1843 to 1848, and in March 1849 he took over as...
- 1872–1874 : Andreas GrimelundAndreas GrimelundAndreas Grimelund was a Norwegian bishop.The son of a farmer in Aker, he graduated as cand.theol. in 1835. He became residing chaplain in Nannestad in 1844 and Ullensaker in 1847. He was a teacher at the theological seminary in Christiania starting in 1851, and was appointed vicar in Gerpen in 1856...
- 1874–1883 : Bernhard Ludvig EssendropBernhard Ludvig EssendropBernhard Ludvig Essendrop was a Norwegian priest and politician.He was born in Christiania, and was the brother of Carl Peter Parelius Essendrop. He was a vicar in Søndre Throndhjems Amt by occupation. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1862, 1865, 1871 and 1874, representing his county...
- 1883–1897 : Karl Ditlev RyghKarl Ditlev RyghKarl Ditlev Rygh was a Norwegian archaeologist and politician for the Conservative Party.He was born in Verdal, and was the brother of Evald og Oluf Rygh. He graduated as cand.philol. in 1863. He was hired as a teacher at Trondheim Cathedral School in 1866, and worked as headmaster there from 1887...
- 1897–1899 : Johannes Sejersted
- 1899–1902 : Knud H. LossiusKnud H. LossiusKnud Henrik Holtermann Lossius was a Norwegian educator.He was born in 1847 as the son of Morten Lyng Lossius from Lade in Trondhjem, and was named after his maternal grandfather Knud H. Holtermann...
- 1903–1914 : Bjarne Lysholm
- 1914–1926 : Axel Sommerfelt
- 1926–1933 : Halfdan BrynHalfdan BrynHalfdan Bryn was a Norwegian physician and physical anthropologist.-Early life:Bryn was born in Trondheim, the son of the physician Thomas Bryn and of Kristine Emilie Karoline Richter . He was a grandson of Thomas Bryn, Sr., and a brother of Knud Ørn Bryn and Alfred Jørgen Bryn...
- 1933–1945 : Ragnvald Iversen
- 1946–1946 : Viggo BrunViggo BrunViggo Brun was a Norwegian mathematician.He studied at the University of Oslo and began research at the University of Göttingen in 1910. In 1923, Brun became a professor at the Technical University in Trondheim and in 1946 a professor at the University of Oslo...
- 1946–1949 : Ragnvald Iversen
- 1950–1958 : Thorolf Vogt
- 1958–1965 : Harald WergelandHarald WergelandHarald Wergeland was a Norwegian physicist. He was a professor at the Norwegian Institute of Technology.Wergeland graduated as an engineer from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1936 and earned the dr.philos. degree in 1942...
- 1966–1973 : Tord GodalTord GodalTord Godal was a Norwegian theologian and bishop for the Diocese of Nidaros. He was decorated Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1969. Godal was also a Freemason....
- 1974–1981 : Sigmund Selberg
- 1982–1989 : Grethe Authén Blom
- 1990–1995 : Haakon Olsen
- 1996–1997 : Peder Borgen
- ...