Jonas Collett

Who was Jonas Collett?

Jonas Collett was a Norwegian civil servant and politician. Being known as one of the "Eidsvoll men", he played an important role in the events of Norway in 1814.

Together with Niels Aall, he led the negotiations with Swedish general Magnus Björnstjerna which resulted in the Convention of Moss.

Later, he participated in several governments. He was a prominent minister, and got the post of first minister when the former first minister Sommerhielm left Christiania in 1822. His political power was lesser than that of the governor. When governor Baltzar von Platen died in 1829, no new governor was appointed, and Collett subsequently became the highest authority in Norway until he left office in 1836, except for a brief period in 1833 when Crown Prince Oscar was appointed viceroy.

Jonas Collett was the brother of Johan Collett, another "Eidsvoll man".