Arthur Mørch Hansson


Arthur Mørch Hansson was a Norwegian diplomat.

Personal life

Hansson was born in Kristiania to judge Michael Hansson and Minnie Christensen. He married Jette Emilie Gad in 1939. He was a brother of Knut Mørch Hansson.

Career

After qualifying as student in 1930, Hansson undertook a mercantile education. In 1940 he volunteered as soldier in the Winter War, and after the German invasion in Norway he fought in the Norwegian campaign. He was among the pioneers of the resistance organization Milorg from 1940 to 1942, eventually a short period as secretary-general in the central operative leadership. He had to flee the country in 1942, reaching England in 1943. From 1944 to 1945 he served as Norwegian attaché in Ottawa and Montreal. He was stationed as legation secretary in Lisbon in 1946, and assumed a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1948. He was legation secretary in Warsaw in 1949, and served as vice consul in New York City from 1950, and as consul from 1952. In 1960 he was ambassador to Lagos, and from 1964 he served as consul general in Montreal.

Honours and death

Hansson's war decorations include the Defence Medal 1940–1945 with rosette, and the British King's Commendation for Brave Conduct. He was decorated Knight, First Class of the Order of St. Olav in 1961. He died in Montreal on 4 January 1969.