Helge Larsen (1915–2000) was a Danish politician. He was a member of the
Danish Social Liberal Party
The Danish Social Liberal Party ( da, Radikale Venstre, , Radical Left) is a social-liberal political party in Denmark. The party was founded as a split from the Venstre Reform Party in 1905.
Historically, the centrist party has played a cent ...
Larsen was born on 25 April 1915 in Vester Åby. He received his master's degree in history, Danish and German languages in 1942.
Career
Larsen joined the Danish Social Liberal Party in 1936. He worked as a teacher before his political career. He became an adjunct professor at Nykøbing Cathedral School in 1949. He was first elected to the
Parliament
In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. Th ...
from the Danish Social Liberal Party on 29 October 1956 and served at the Parliament until 22 September 1964. On 2 February 1968 he was appointed minister of education and remained in office until 11 October 1971. The cabinet was led by
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...
Hilmar Baunsgaard
Hilmar Baunsgaard (26 February 1920, Slagelse – 30 June 1989) was a Danish politician who served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 1968 to 1971. He was a member of the Danish Social Liberal Party and the party's leader from 1968 to 1975. He wa ...
. The term of the cabinet witnessed some disputes in Denmark, and the Danish university students nicknamed Larsen as ''Evil Helge''. Larsen's successor as education minister was
Knud Heinesen
Knud Heinesen (born 1932) is a Danish economist and politician who held various cabinet posts, including the minister of education and minister of finance. In 1985 he retired from politics and involved in business.
Early life and education
Heine ...
.
Larsen was a temporary member of the Parliament in 1974 and in 1976.
Personal life and death
Larsen married Tonny Karen Lolk in
Svendborg
Svendborg () is a town on the island of Funen in south-central Denmark, and the seat of Svendborg Municipality. With a population of 27,300 (1 January 2022), Svendborg is Funen's second largest city.Holmen Cemetery in Copenhagen.
Work
Larsen was the author of various books on politics and contributed to some newspapers, including ''
Ekstra Bladet
''Ekstra Bladet'' is a Danish tabloid newspaper, published by JP/Politikens Hus in Copenhagen.About (in Danish) ''E ...
'' and ''
Politiken
''Politiken'' is a leading Danish daily broadsheet newspaper, published by JP/Politikens Hus in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in 1884 and played a role in the formation of the Danish Social Liberal Party. Since 1970 it has been indepe ...