Monarch Oscar II Occupation Politician Spouse Anna Sylvia Leganger Role Norwegian Politician | Nationality Norwegian Name Christian Selmer Profession clerck | |
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Full Name Christian August Selmer Born 16 November 1816Fredrikshald, Ostfold, Norway ( 1816-11-16 ) Died November 1, 1889, Bygdoy, Oslo, Norway Succeeded by | ||
Political party Conservative Party | ||
Christian August Selmer (16 November 1816 – 1 September 1889) was a Norwegian Prime Minister. He was a magistrate who served as a member of the Norwegian parliament, minister of defense and minister of justice.
Selmer was born at Fredrikshald in Østfold, Norway and grew up in Halden. He was the son of Johan Christian Selmer (1783-1830) and Johanne Ditlevine Michea Vibe (1788-1879). In 1842, he was magistrate in Sør-Hedmark. He was a magistrate in Drammen (1862-1874).
Selmer served as deputy to Parliament for Drammen (1871-1873) and permanent representative (1874-1876). Following the surprising resignation of Frederik Stang as Prime Minister in September 1880, King Oscar II of Sweden had Selmer in mind as Norwegian Prime Minister. Selmer's record as Prime Minister was characterized by conflict over whether members of the cabinet were required to appear in parliament to answer questions. He influenced King Oscar II to reject efforts at a compromise, setting the stage for impeachment proceedings in 1883 to 1884. Selmer was subsequently convicted and resigned as Prime Minister on March 1, 1884. Subsequently, Selmer became acting general auditor (generalauditør) for Army and Navy, an office he held until his death in September 1889.