Johan Ludwig Mowinckel

Who was Johan Ludwig Mowinckel?

Johan Ludwig Mowinckel was a Norwegian statesman, shipping magnate and philanthropist.

Johan Ludwig Mowinckel was born in Bergen on October 22, 1870. Educated at Oslo University, Mowinckel entered public service in his native town where he became Chairman of Bergens Venstreforening. He was elected to the City Council in 1899 and subsequently mayor of Bergen 1902-1906 and 1911-1913. He became Member of Parliament for the Liberal party in 1906 and subsequently President in 1916.

During the period between World War I and 1935 he was active in national politics and served as Minister of Trade in 1921-1922, Foreign Minister in 1922-1923 and three times Norway's Prime Minister in 1924-1926, 1928-1931 and 1933-1935.

He founded the shipping firm, A/S J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi and was instrumental in founding the Norwegian-American Shipping Line.

In 1925 he became a member of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee. Mowinckel took the initiative during the Oslo convention in 1930 to encourage free trade between the Benelux and Nordic countries, anticipating postwar efforts toward the formation of the European Union.