Olaus Arvesen

Who was Olaus Arvesen?

Olaus Arvesen was a Norwegian educator and politician for the Liberal Party.

He was born in Onsøy. He graduated as cand.theol. in 1862, and was influenced by the pastor and educator N. F. S. Grundtvig. While Grundtvig is often called "the father of the folk high school", Arvesen established Norway's first folk high school at Sagatun in 1864, together with Herman Anker.

Arvesen was also editor-in-chief of the newspapers Hamar Stiftstidende and Oplandenes Avis. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1892, representing the constituency Hedemarkens Amt. He was a deputy representative during the term 1985–1897. In 1900 he was elected for a second term, representing the constituency of Sarpsborg where he lived while working as a Supreme Court barrister.

He died in 1917. He was the father of violinist Arve Arvesen.