Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld

Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld
Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld
Born18 November 1832 (1832-11-18)
Died12 August 1901(1901-08-12) (aged 68)
NationalityFinnish, Swedish
Alma materImperial Alexander University of Finland
Known forVega Expedition through the Northeast Passage
AwardsFounder's Medal (1869)
Constantine Medal (1878)
Vega Medal (1881)
Murchison Medal (1900)
Scientific career
FieldsGeology, mineralogy, cartography
InstitutionsNaturhistoriska Riksmuseet

Nils Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld (pronunciation; 18 November 1832  12 August 1901) was a Finland-Swedish aristocrat, geologist, mineralogist and Arctic explorer. He was a member of the noble Nordenskiöld family of scientists and held the title of a friherre (baron).

Born in the Grand Duchy of Finland in the Russian Empire, he was forced to move to Sweden in 1857 due to his political activity, where he became a member of the Parliament of Sweden and of the Swedish Academy. He led the Vega Expedition along the northern coast of Eurasia in 1878–1879. This was the first complete crossing of the Northeast Passage. Initially a troubled enterprise, the successful expedition is considered to be among the highest achievements in the history of Swedish science.