Gunnar Jahn
Gunnar Jahn | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1883 Trondheim, Norway |
| Died | January 31, 1971 (aged 88) Oslo, Norway |
| Occupation(s) | Legal expert, economist, statistician, politician |
| Years active | 1907–1971 |
| Known for | Minister of Finance and Customs (1934–1935, 1945), Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee (1941–1966), Governor of the Central Bank of Norway (1946–1954) |
Gunnar Jahn (10 January 1883 – 31 January 1971) was a distinguished Norwegian legal expert, economist, statistician, and political figure affiliated with the Liberal Party as well as an active member of the resistance. His career highlights include serving as Minister of Finance and Customs during 1934–1935 and again in 1945, leading the Norwegian Nobel Committee as its chairman from 1941 until 1966, and holding the position of Governor at the Central Bank of Norway between 1946 and 1954.
Life and work
Jahn was born in Trondheim to Christian Fredy Michael Jahn, a director, and Elisabeth Wilhelmine Wexelsen. He completed his law studies at the Royal Frederick University in 1907 and subsequently obtained a degree in economics in 1909. After a brief period working as a deputy judge, he joined Statistics Norway in 1910. In 1911, he married Martha Larsen Jahn.
Between 1913 and 1920, Jahn held teaching positions at Kristiania Commerce School and the university. During 1917–1920, he was employed by Rasjoneringsdirektoratet, ascending to director in his final year there. He was appointed director of Statistics Norway in 1920 and became a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in 1927. Jahn served as Minister of Finance and Customs within Mowinckel's Third Cabinet from 1934 to 1935. His involvement with the Norwegian Nobel Committee began in 1937, with him chairing the committee from 1941 through to 1966.
Throughout the German occupation of Norway, Jahn contributed to the Administrative Council in 1940 and played a significant role within resistance groups such as "Kretsen" and Hjemmefrontens Ledelse. He was detained by Nazi forces in October 1944 and imprisoned first at Akershus Fortress, then transferred to Grini concentration camp until liberation.
Following the conclusion of World War II, Jahn was considered for the role of Prime Minister but instead accepted the position of Minister of Finance in Gerhardsen's First Cabinet from June to November 1945. That same year, he represented Norway on the Boards of Governors for both the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund. From 1946 until 1954, he governed Norges Bank. Additionally, Jahn served as president of the International Statistical Institute between 1947 and 1951 and delivered the Nobel Peace Prize presentation speech in 1947. He remained engaged with the Liberal Party’s national board until his passing in Oslo in January 1971.
U Thant controversy
In 1965, U Thant, then United Nations Secretary-General, was informed by Norway’s Permanent Representative to the UN that he was slated to receive that year's Nobel Peace Prize and was asked whether he would accept it. After consulting his team, U Thant consented. Nevertheless, Gunnar Jahn, who chaired the Nobel Peace Prize committee at that time, strongly opposed granting U Thant this honor. Ultimately, at the final moment, the award was bestowed upon UNICEF instead. Other committee members supported recognizing U Thant for his efforts in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis, facilitating peace in Congo, and mediating an end to the Vietnam War. This internal dispute caused delays in awarding prizes during both 1966 and 1967, with Jahn effectively blocking U Thant’s acknowledgment.