Christian Lous Lange facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian Lous Lange
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| Born | 17 September 1869 |
| Died | 11 December 1938 (aged 69) Oslo, Norway
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| Awards | Nobel Peace Prize (1921) |
Christian Lous Lange (born September 17, 1869 – died December 11, 1938) was an important Norwegian historian, teacher, and expert in political science. He was a leading voice for internationalism, which is the idea that countries should work together for peace and common goals.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Christian Lous Lange was born in Stavanger, Norway. His father was an engineer in the military. His grandfather, also named Christian C. A. Lange, was a well-known historian.
Christian finished high school in 1887. After that, he traveled and studied history, English, and French at the University of Oslo. He earned his degree in 1893. For many years, he taught at high schools. Later, he went back to the University of Oslo to earn a higher degree called a doctorate.
Working for Peace
Joining the International Movement
In 1899, Christian Lange began his official work in the international movement. He became the secretary for a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Oslo. This group helps lawmakers from different countries talk to each other.
The next year, he became the secretary for the Norwegian Nobel Committee. This committee chooses who wins the Nobel Peace Prize. He left this job in 1909. However, he was very important in the early days of the Norwegian Nobel Institute. During this time, he also represented Norway at the Second Hague Peace Conference. This conference aimed to discuss ways to prevent wars.
Leading the Inter-Parliamentary Union
Lange returned to the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 1909. He became its secretary general, which is like a main leader. He held this important job until 1933.
- He helped move the Union's office to Brussels.
- He kept the Union going in Oslo during the difficult years of World War I.
- After the war, he moved the office again to Geneva.
Other Important Roles
Christian Lange was also active in many other groups.
- He was a delegate for Norway at the League of Nations from when it started until 1938. The League of Nations was an early organization for world peace.
- He wrote reports for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This group works to build peace and understanding.
- He also took part in the Central Organisation for Durable Peace.
People often asked for his advice on solving disagreements between countries. He was also an expert on controlling weapons.
His Book and the Nobel Peace Prize
Christian Lange showed his strong belief in international cooperation through his writings. He started a three-volume history book called Histoire de l'internationalisme. The first part came out in 1919. This book helped prepare people's ideas for the creation of the League of Nations.
For all his hard work and efforts, Christian Lange was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1921. He shared the prize with Hjalmar Branting.
Family Life
Christian Lange passed away when he was 69 years old. This was one day after the 17th anniversary of receiving his Nobel Prize. He had three sons: Carl Viggo Manthey Lange, Halvard Lange, and Christian August Manthey Lange.
His daughter, Thora, was a history and language teacher. She taught at Oslo Cathedral School starting in 1938. During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany in World War II, she joined the Norwegian resistance movement. Her husband had to leave the country. Thora was imprisoned in September 1943. She became ill and passed away at Ullevål Hospital in December of that year.
Christian Lange was also a member of the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights. This group worked for equal rights for women.
See also
- List of peace activists
