1686day.year
Hans Egede
(1686 - 1758)
Norwegian missionary and explorer
Norwegian missionary and explorer
Norwegian-Danish missionary and explorer known as the Apostle of Greenland.
Born in 1686, he felt a lifelong calling to bring Christianity to the Arctic and founded a mission in Greenland in 1721. Learning the Inuit language, Egede bridged cultural gaps and built the settlement of Godthaab, now Nuuk. He rediscovered remains of Norse settlements, sparking renewed interest in Greenland's Viking history. Despite harsh conditions, he established schools, churches, and trading posts that formed the backbone of modern Greenlandic society. His writings and maps provided valuable insight into Arctic geography and culture. Egede's legacy endures in both religious heritage and polar exploration.
1686
Hans Egede