Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930). 1895 illustration of the Norwegian explorer, biologist and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen observing a solar eclipse on 6th April 1894, whilst on an ice sheet. In 1888 Nansen was the first to cross the Greenland ice sheet and showed that it covered the entire island. During 1893 to 1896, in his specially-strengthened ship 'Fram' (background), drifting locked in ice, and then marching on foot, Nansen reached a record northwards latitude of 86 degrees 13.6 minutes. Nansen also wrote books on the Inuit, and the central nervous system. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his refugee relief work.