The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters ( da, Det Kongelige Norske Videnskabers Selskab, DKNVS) is a

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

learned society A learned society (; also learned academy, scholarly society, or academic association) is an organization that exists to promote an discipline (academia), academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and s ...

based in

Trondheim Trondheim ( , , ; sma, Tråante), historically Kaupangen, Nidaros and Trondhjem (), is a city and municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. As of 2020, it had a population of 205,332, was the third most populous municipality in Norway, and ...

. It was founded in 1760 and is Norway's oldest scientific and scholarly institution. The society's Protector is King

Harald V of Norway Harald V ( no, Harald den femte, ; born 21 February 1937) is King of Norway. He acceded to the throne on 17 January 1991. Harald was the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden. He was second in the lin ...

. Its membership consists of no more than 435 members elected for life among the country's most prominent scholars and scientists. The society’s Danish name predates both written standards for Norwegian and has remained unchanged after Norway’s independence from Denmark in 1814 and the spelling reforms of the 20th century.

History

DKNVS was founded in 1760 by the

bishop of Nidaros Nidaros is a diocese in the Lutheran Church of Norway. It covers Trøndelag county in Central Norway and its cathedral city is Trondheim, which houses the well-known Nidaros Cathedral. Since 10 September 2017, the Bishop of Nidaros is Herborg F ...

Johan Ernst Gunnerus Johan Ernst Gunnerus (26 February 1718 – 25 September 1773) was a Norway, Norwegian bishop and botanist. Gunnerus was born at Oslo, Christiania. He was bishop of the Diocese of Nidaros from 1758 until his death and also a professor of theology ...

, headmaster at the

Trondheim Cathedral School Trondheim Cathedral School ( no, Trondheim katedralskole, Latin: ''Schola Cathedralis Nidrosiensis'') is an upper secondary school located next to the Nidaros Cathedral in the center of Trondheim, Norway. History There is great dispute regarding ...

Gerhard Schøning Gerhard Schøning (2 May 1722 – 18 July 1780) 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, N ...

and Councillor of State

Peter Frederik Suhm Peter Frederik Suhm (18 October 1728 – 7 September 1798), was a Danish historian. Biography Suhm studied at the University of Copenhagen from 1746 to 1751, and one of his teachers was Ludvig Holberg. In 1749 he translated a comedy of Plautu ...

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, king

Christian VII of Denmark Christian VII (29 January 1749 – 13 March 1808) was a monarch of the House of Oldenburg who was King of Denmark–Norway and Duke of Schleswig and Holstein from 1766 until his death in 1808. For his motto he chose: "''Gloria ex amore patriae'' ...

's birthday. In 1771, when

Johann Friedrich Struensee Lensgreve Johann Friedrich Struensee (5 August 1737 – 28 April 1772) was a German-Danish physician, philosopher and statesman. He became royal physician to the mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark and a minister in the Danish government. ...

took over the

de facto ''De facto'' ( ; , "in fact") describes practices that exist in reality, whether or not they are officially recognized by laws or other formal norms. It is commonly used to refer to what happens in practice, in contrast with ''de jure'' ("by la ...

rule of Denmark-Norway, Johan Ernst Gunnerus was summoned to

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...

, 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 is a seaside resort city and municipality in Agder county, Norway. The city is the fifth-largest and the municipality the sixth-largest in Norway, with a population of around 112,000 as of January 2020, following the incorporation ...

(Kristiansand), due to its proximity to

Jutland Jutland ( da, Jylland ; german: Jütland ; ang, Ēota land ), known anciently as the Cimbric or Cimbrian Peninsula ( la, Cimbricus Chersonesus; da, den Kimbriske Halvø, links=no or ; german: Kimbrische Halbinsel, links=no), is a peninsula of ...

. 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

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 A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...

in 1968, today the

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe *Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway *Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including the ...

, 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 Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...

, and released in two volumes. In connection with the 250th anniversary of the Society, Håkon With Andersen, Brita Brenna, Magne Njåstad, and Astrid Wale wrote an updated history. Also, Arild Stubhaug wrote a shorter history, prepared for a general audience.

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 Fossheim Kristian Johan Fossheim (born 4 December 1935) 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 19 ...

. 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 The Gunnerus Medal ( no, Gunnerusmedaljen) 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. Members of the l ...

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 (13 August 1852 – 16 October 1925) was a Norwegian naturalist painter, illustrator, author and journalist. Krohg was inspired by the realism art movement and often chose motifs from everyday life. He was the director and s ...

took the seat. From 1815 the King holds the title of "protector". Today King

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.

Awards

The society awards the following prizes:

Gunnerus Sustainability Science Award

The

Gunnerus Sustainability Science Award The Gunnerus Sustainability Award is an international research award, conferred every other year by the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS) and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Its full name is The Gunn ...

is the society's highest award. It is awarded for outstanding scientific work that promotes

sustainable development Sustainable development is an organizing principle for meeting human development goals while also sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services on which the economy and society depend. The des ...

globally. As of 2017 the prize is awarded by DKNVS in collaboration with the

. The award was established in 2012, as a cooperation between DKNVS, Sparebanken Midt-Norge and the foundation Technoport. It is named after the Norwegian scientist and bishop

, and consists of a cash award of 1,000,000

Norwegian krone The krone (, abbreviation: kr (also NKr for distinction); code: NOK), plural ''kroner'', is currency of the Kingdom of Norway (including Svalbard). Traditionally known as the Norwegian crown in English. It is nominally subdivided into 100 ''� ...

r. The first laureate was announced in February 2012, and the prize was handed over the 17 April in

Olavshallen Olavshallen ( en, Olav Hall or Olav Concert Hall) was built in 1989 as a concert hall and is named after a historical tradition in Trondheim, Norway, the St. Olav tradition. The foundation stone was laid by HM King Olav V 22 July 1988. Olavshallen ...

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

during the conference Technoport 2012. Laureates are: * 2017: The ecologist Carl Folke. * 2012: The biologist Kamal Bawa for his pioneering work on

population biology The term population biology has been used with different meanings. In 1971 Edward O. Wilson ''et al''. used the term in the sense of applying mathematical models to population genetics, community ecology, and population dynamics. Alan Hastings us ...

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

areas."

The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters annual prize for young researchers

This award is funded by I. K. Lykke. The prize is awarded annually to two people under 40 years who are "Norwegian researchers or foreign researchers at the Norwegian research institutions that have demonstrated outstanding talent, originality and effort, and who have achieved excellent results in their fields". Awardees are: * 2018 Marie Elisabeth Rognes (science) and Trond Nordfjærn (humanities) * 2017 David Bassett (science) and Mats Ingulstad (humanities) * 2016 Jannike Solsvik (science) and Siv Gøril Brandtzæg (humanities) * 2015 Steffen Oppermann (science) and Ivar Berg (humanities) * 2014 Andriy Bondarenko (science) and Terje Lohndal (humanities) * 2013 Yasser Roudi (science) and Theresa M. Olasveengen (science) * 2012 Sverre Magnus Selbach (science) and Martin Wåhlberg (humanities) * 2011 Simen Ådnøy Ellingsen (science) and

Thomas Hegghammer The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (''Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt'' – ''FFI'') is a research institute that conducts research and development on behalf of the Norwegian Armed Forces and provides expert advice to political and mi ...

(humanities) * 2010 Petter Andreas Bergh (science), Jacob Linder (science) and Jon Hernes Fiva (humanities) * 2009 Xavier Raynaud (science) and Terje Andreas Eikemo (humanities) * 2008 Jill Kristin Lautgeb (science) and Jo Jakobsen (humanities) * 2007 Marit Sletmoen (science) * 2006 Marianne Fyhn (science), Torkel Hafting Fyhn (science) and Halvard Buhaug, (humanities) * 2005 Sigurd Einum (science) and Dag Trygve Truslew Haug (humanities) * 2004 Bård Gunnar Stokke (science) and Anne Beate Maurseth (humanities) * 2003 Sigurd Weidemann Løvseth (science) and Cathrine Brun (humanities) * 2002 Alexander Øhrn (science) and Tanja Ellingsenand (humanities) * 2001 Magne Lygren (science) and Marianne Ryghaug (humanities) * 2000 Ørjan Johansen (science) and Toril Aalberg (humanities) * 1999 Baard Kasa (science) and Kaja Borthen (humanities)

The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters scientific annual prize

* 2002 Johannes Skaar and Jarle Tufto * 2001 Jonathan W. Moses and Erlend Rønnekleiv * 2000 Rolf Hobson * 1999

May-Britt Moser May-Britt Moser (born 4 January 1963) is a Norwegian psychologist and neuroscientist, who is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She and her then-husband, Edvard Moser, share ...

and

Edvard Moser Edvard Ingjald Moser (; born 27 April 1962) is a Norwegian professor of psychology and neuroscience at thKavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. In 2005, he and May-Brit ...

* 1998 Jarle André Haugan * 1997 Magne Sætersdal and Baard Pedersen * 1996

Stig Arild Slørdahl Stig Arild Slørdahl (born 6 March 1959) is Managing Director of the Central Norway Regional Health Authority. He has a background as a Norwegian professor of Medicine and specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He has been dean at the F ...

and Geir Johnsen * 1995 Jon Thomas Kringlebotn and Tor Grande * 1993 Tor Anders Åfarli and Halvor Kjørholt * 1992 Øyvind Solberg and Eirik Helseth * 1991 Tore C. Stiles and Jarle Hjelen * 1990 Yngvar Olsen and Karin Gjøl Hagen * 1989 Arne Sandvik and Bernt-Erik Saether * 1988 Dagfinn Berntzen and Berit Kjeldstad * 1987 Håkon With Andersen and Randi Eidsmo Reinertsen * 1986 Lisa Jacobsen and Jarle Mork * 1985

Jan Ragnar Hagland Jan Ragnar Hagland (born 3 March 1943 in Haugesund) is a Norwegian philologist; a professor of Old Norse at NTNU. He has worked at NTNU since 1972, and became professor in 1986. Hagland has translated several sagas of Icelanders to Nynorsk (inclu ...

, Eivin Røskaft and Trond E. Ellingsen * 1984 Linda R. White and Terje Espevik

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-Norway *1805–1814: Crown Prince Christian Frederick of Denmark-Norway *1814–1815: ''vacant'' *1815–1818: Crown Prince Charles III John of Norway and Sweden *1818–1859: Oscar I of Norway and Sweden *1859–1872: Charles IV of Norway and Sweden *1872–1905: Oscar II of Norway and Sweden *1906–1957:

Haakon VII of Norway Haakon VII (; born Prince Carl of Denmark; 3 August 187221 September 1957) was the King of Norway from November 1905 until his death in September 1957. Originally a Danish prince, he was born in Copenhagen as the son of the future Frederick V ...

*1957–1991:

Olav V of Norway Olav V (; born Prince Alexander of Denmark; 2 July 1903 – 17 January 1991) was the King of Norway from 1957 until his death in 1991. Olav was the only child of King Haakon VII of Norway and Maud of Wales. He became heir apparent to the Nor ...

*1991–present:

;Praeses (vice praeses until 1815) *1766–1773:

*1773–1780: Ole Irgens *1780–1791: Christian Frederik Hagerup *1791–1803:

Johan Christian Schønheyder Johan Christian Schønheyder (9 August 1742 – 14 April 1803) was a Danish-Norwegian priest. He was the bishop of the Diocese of Trondhjem from 1788 until 1803. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1742 and died in 1803 in Trondheim, Norwa ...

*1804–1820: Peter Olivarius Bugge *1820–1828:

*1829–1832: Niels Stockfleth Schultz *1832–1832: Frederik Christoffer, greve af Trampe *1833–1838: Christian Hersleb Hornemann *1838–1851:

Frederik Moltke Bugge Frederik Moltke Bugge (23 September 1806 – 9 July 1853) was a Norwegian philologist and educator. Early and personal life Bugge was born in Trondhjem as a son of bishop Peter Olivarius Bugge (1764–1849) and Cathrine Magdalene Koch (1771–186 ...

*1851–1855: Hans Jørgen Darre *1855–1865: Christian Petersen *1865–1870:

Andreas Grimelund Andreas Grimelund (26 January 1812 – 3 January 1896) 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 the ...

*1870–1872: Hans Jørgen Darre *1872–1874:

*1874–1883:

Bernhard Ludvig Essendrop Bernhard Ludvig Essendrop (21 December 1812 – 13 March 1891) was a Norwegian politician and priest in the Church of Norway. Early life He was born in Christiania (now Oslo) and was the brother of Bishop Carl Peter Parelius Essendrop. He served ...

*1883–1897: Karl Ditlev Rygh *1897–1899: Johannes Sejersted *1899–1902: Knud H. Lossius *1903–1914: Bjarne Lysholm *1914–1926: Axel Sommerfelt *1926–1933: Halfdan Bryn *1933–1945:

Ragnvald Iversen Ragnvald Iversen (January 18, 1882 – August 21, 1960) was a Norwegian educator and professor of North Germanic linguistics.Viggo Brun Viggo Brun (13 October 1885 – 15 August 1978) was a Norwegian professor, mathematician and number theorist. Contributions In 1915, he introduced a new method, based on Legendre's version of the sieve of Eratosthenes, now known as the ' ...

*1946–1949:

Ragnvald Iversen Ragnvald Iversen (January 18, 1882 – August 21, 1960) was a Norwegian educator and professor of North Germanic linguistics.Thorolf Vogt *1958–1965: Harald Wergeland *1966–1973:

Tord Godal Tord Godal (27 June 1909 – 27 February 2002) 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. Godal was born on 2 ...

*1974–1981: Sigmund Selberg *1982–1989: Grethe Authén Blom *1990–1995: Haakon Olsen *1996–1999:

Peder Borgen Peder Johan Borgen (born 26 January 1928 in Lillestrøm, Norway) is a Norwegian Methodist minister, has a Doctorate in Theology, and is a retired professor at Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He is considered a pioneer "within the th ...

*2000–2004: Karsten Jakobsen *2005–2010: Steinar Supphellen *2010–2013:

*2013–2013:

*2014–2016:

Helge Holden Helge Holden (born 28 September 1956) is a Norwegian mathematician working in the field of differential equations and mathematical physics. He was Praeses of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters from 2014 to 2016. He earned the ...

*2017-2019: Ida Bull *2020-present May Thorseth

References

External links

Official website
{{authority control 1760 establishments in Norway Norwegian awards Science and technology awards Organizations established in 1760 Learned societies of Norway