Otto Chr. Bastiansen
Encyclopedia
Otto Christian Astrup Bastiansen (1918 – 1995) was a Norwegian physicist
and chemist
.
He was the son of priest Alf Bjørnskau Bastiansen and brother of jurist Peter Bastiansen
. He took the dr.philos. degree in 1949, and was hired as a lecturer at the University of Oslo
in 1954. Already in 1955 he became professor of theoretical chemistry
at the Norwegian Institute of Technology
. He returned to the University of Oslo in 1962, and switched from theoretical chemistry to physical chemistry
in 1964. From 1965 to 1969 he chaired the research council NAVF. He was then vice rector from 1970 to 1973 and rector from 1973 to 1976 at the University of Oslo. He was also a visiting scholar, both in the United States and at the University of Moscow.
Otto Bastiansen was a member of the first anti-nuclear organization in Norway, together with John Engh
, Johan Bernitz Hygen and Odd Hølaas
, among others.
Physicist
A physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
.
He was the son of priest Alf Bjørnskau Bastiansen and brother of jurist Peter Bastiansen
Peter Bastiansen
Peter Ivan Lodtz Bastiansen was a Norwegian businessperson and politician for the Communist Party.He was born in Vadsø, and was the son of priest Alf Bjørnskau Bastiansen and brother of chemist Otto Chr. Bastiansen. After World War II he was a member of the central committee of the Norwegian...
. He took the dr.philos. degree in 1949, and was hired as a lecturer at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
in 1954. Already in 1955 he became professor of theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry seeks to provide theories that explain chemical observations. Often, it uses mathematical and computational methods that, at times, require advanced knowledge. Quantum chemistry, the application of quantum mechanics to the understanding of valency, is a major component of...
at the Norwegian Institute of Technology
Norwegian Institute of Technology
The Norwegian Institute of Technology, known by its Norwegian abbrevation NTH was a science institute in Trondheim, Norway. It was established in 1910, and existed as an independent technical university for 85 years, after which it was merged into the University of Trondheim as an independent...
. He returned to the University of Oslo in 1962, and switched from theoretical chemistry to physical chemistry
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physical laws and concepts...
in 1964. From 1965 to 1969 he chaired the research council NAVF. He was then vice rector from 1970 to 1973 and rector from 1973 to 1976 at the University of Oslo. He was also a visiting scholar, both in the United States and at the University of Moscow.
Otto Bastiansen was a member of the first anti-nuclear organization in Norway, together with John Engh
John Engh
John Engh was a Norwegian architect, most known for his innovative work in stone and concrete....
, Johan Bernitz Hygen and Odd Hølaas
Odd Hølaas
Oddleiv Sigurd Bang Hølaas was a Norwegian journalist and writer. He won the Riksmål Society Literature Prize in 1964....
, among others.