Otto Bahr Halvorsen (28 May 1872 – 23 May 1923) was a Norwegian lawyer and politician from the Conservative Party, who served as the

prime minister of Norway The prime minister of Norway (, which directly translates to "minister of state") is the head of government and chief executive of Norway. The prime minister and Cabinet of Norway, Cabinet (consisting of all the most senior government departme ...

from 1920 to 1921 and again in 1923 up until his death in office.

Background

Halvorsen was born in

Kristiania Oslo ( or ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of in 2022, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,064,235 in 2022, an ...

(now Oslo, Norway) to Otto Hellen Halvorsen (1840–1921) and Karine Christine Christiansen (1847–1927). He attended Kristiania Cathedral School. He studied law at the University of Kristiania where he completed his

examen artium Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1 ...

in 1890. As a licensed attorney, in 1904 he opened a law firm in Kristiania.

Political career

In 1912 Halvorsen was first elected to the

Storting The Storting ( ; ) is the supreme legislature of Norway, established in 1814 by the Constitution of Norway. It is located in Oslo. The Unicameralism, unicameral parliament has 169 members and is elected every four years based on party-list propo ...

from the neighborhood of Gamle Aker in the district of St. Hanshaugen in Kristiania. Halvorsen served Kristiania in the

Parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...

from the Conservative Party from 1913 to 1923. He became Prime Minister during 1920 while also serving as

Minister of Justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

. He again became Prime Minister in May 1923 while simultaneously serving as Minister of Justice. Between these terms, Halvorsen was leader of the Conservative Party in Parliament and

President of the Storting The Storting ( ; ) is the supreme legislature of Norway, established in 1814 by the Constitution of Norway. It is located in Oslo. The unicameral parliament has 169 members and is elected every four years based on party-list proportional represe ...

(''stortingspresident''). However, he became gravely ill in March 1923, just a few days after forming his government, and died of cancer on the 23rd of May that same year.

Personal life

In 1899, he was married to Kathrine Hofgaard (1875–1960), daughter of Simon Wright Hofgaard and Ida Mathilde Aars.

References

External links

Otto B. Halvorsen's First Government

Otto B. Halvorsen's Second Government
{{DEFAULTSORT:Halvorsen, Otto Bahr 1872 births 1923 deaths Lawyers from Oslo People educated at Oslo Cathedral School University of Oslo alumni Politicians from Oslo Leaders of the Conservative Party (Norway) Presidents of the Storting Prime ministers of Norway Order of the Dannebrog Recipients of the St. Olav's Medal Burials at Vestre gravlund Ministers of justice of Norway Members of the Storting 1913–1915 Members of the Storting 1919–1921 Members of the Storting 1922–1924