historian professor athletics competitor
He originally studied agronomy at the Norwegian College of Agriculture, graduating in 1957. There he graduated as candidate.philol.
He then worked six years as a civil servant in the Norwegian Ministry of Church Affairs and Education, before taking up history studies. in 1965. He was appointed by the King-in-Council as Professor of History at the University of Oslo in 1976. He was an able javelin thrower while studying.
He represented the sports team of the Norwegian College of Agriculture, NLHI, and threw 50.27 metres in 1954.
Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters]
He is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.