Rolf Stranger
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| Mayor of Oslo | |
| In office 1940–1963 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1891-01-15)15 January 1891 Oslo, Norway |
| Died | 18 June 1990(1990-06-18) (aged 99) Oslo, Norway |
| Alma mater | University of Oslo |
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Rolf Stranger (15 January 1891 – 18 June 1990) was a Norwegian businessman and politician for the Conservative Party who served as Mayor of Oslo.[1]
Rolf Stranger was born in Kristiania. He was the son of Anund Hanssen (1847–1931) and Hilda Theodora Jørgensen (1849–1910). He attended St. Hans Haugen school graduating artium in 1909. He studied at University of Oslo graduating cand.jur. in 1914. After graduation, he joined the family business Hanssen & Bergh A / S, where he was manager from 1917 to 1953. The company was a wholesaler and clothing manufacturer .[2]
During the Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany, he was imprisoned in Bredtveit concentration camp from November 1943 to May 1944.[3]
Stranger was a long-time member of the Oslo City Council serving from 1926–67. He served as Mayor of Oslo in the periods 1940–1941, 1945, 1955–1959 and 1962–1963. He represented Oslo in the Parliament of Norway in 1945 and was re-elected on one occasion. He had previously served in the position of deputy representative during the terms 1931–1933, 1934–1936 and 1937–1945.[4]
Stranger maintained a strong interest in various cultural and civic activities throughout his lengthy career. His was active in film, theater, music and art. From 1924 to 1971, he served as chairman of the Norwegian Trade Fair (Norges Varemesse). He was chairman of the Oslo Nye Teater during the period 1959–84. In 1982, he established an endowment, Rolf Strangers kulturfon, which finances scientific research in Oslo's cultural history. In 1987, he produced his autobiography Mitt hjertes Oslo (Oslo: Aschehoug, 1987. ISBN 9788203154171). In his honor, the eastern part of Rådhusplassen in Oslo was named Rolf Strangers plass during 1998.[5][6][7]
Among his other honors, Stranger was awarded the King's Medal of Merit (Kongens fortjenstmedalje) in gold in 1957 and the Medal of St. Hallvard in 1960. He was made a Knight Grand Officer of the Order of St. Olav in 1965 and holder of Norwegian Commercial Association decorations in gold. He was made a Commander of the Order of Vasa (Sweden) and of the Order of the Dannebrog (Denmark). In 1961, he was awarded the Petter Dass Medal (Petter Dass -medaljen) for his active efforts in the reconstruction of the Northern Norwegian Student Foundation (Nordnorsk Student- og Elevhjem).[8][9][10]
Austria: Grand Officer of the Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
Belgium: Knight Commander of the Order of Leopold I
Finland: Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland
France: Officer of the Order of the Legion of Honour
Hungary: Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary
Italy: Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Romania: Recipient of the Medal for Merit
Spain: Knight Grand Officer of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
Thailand: Knight Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown
Tunisia: Grand Officer of the Order of the Republic
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Mayor of Oslo 1940–1941 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Mayor of Oslo 1945 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Mayor of Oslo 1956–1959 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Mayor of Oslo 1962–1963 |
Succeeded by |
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