Tore Gjelsvik
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Tore Gjelsvik | |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 September 1916 |
| Died | 23 January 2006 (aged 89) |
| Occupation | Geologist |
Tore Gjelsvik (7 September 1916 – 23 January 2006) was a Norwegian geologist and polar explorer. He headed the Norwegian Polar Institute from 1960 to 1983, and played an important role in the Norwegian resistance during World War II.[1][2]
Gjelsvik was born in Bodin Municipality to Eystein Gjelsvik and Lina Relling. He finished his examen artium at Oslo Cathedral School in 1936, and thereafter started studying at the University of Oslo. He graduated in 1942. He married Anne Marie Skaven in 1945.[1]
World War II
Being a student in Oslo at the outbreak of World War II, Gjelsvik participated in the resistance movement from 1940.[3] By that time he had already participated in the Norwegian Campaign. He was among the editors and producers of the magazine Bulletinen, one of the first underground newspapers, and this consumed much of his time.[1] He was among the initiators of the first intelligence groups, and had contacts with the leaders of XU.[1][4] Gjelsvik became a member of the Coordination Committee (Norwegian: Koordinasjonskomiteen (KK)) in 1943,[3] a central coordinating organ for the civil branch of the resistance.[5]
According to one historian, students of natural sciences were well-suited for intelligence work, as they were practically oriented and used to working in the field. Leading members of XU, such as Astrid Løken, were natural scientists at the University of Oslo.[6][7]
He has documented the Norwegian resistance in his book from 1977, Hjemmefronten. Den sivile motstand under okkupasjonen 1940–45, based on personal knowledge and experience.[1]
