Career
He was born in Bergen. He was first elected to the Parliament of Norway in 1829 while serving as dean here. When he became dean in the Diocese of Agder he was steadily re-elected from the diocesal seat Christianssand in 1832, 1835, 1838 and 1841.
He served as bishop in Christianssand from 1841 to 1875.
While serving as such he was elected for a non-consecutive sixth, seventh and eighth parliamentary term in 1847, 1853 and 1859.