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— CH. 1 · A FAMILY OF PROMINENT MINDS —

Jørgen Vogt

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
5 sections
  • Jørgen Herman Vogt entered the world on the 23rd of September 1900 in Kristiania. His father Johan Herman Lie Vogt held a professorship in metallurgy from 1858 until his death in 1932. The family circle extended far beyond immediate kin to include geologists, doctors, and politicians. His brother Thorolf Vogt became a noted geologist while Fredrik Vogt directed Water Resources and Energy. Another sibling, economist Johan Herman Vogt, carried the same first name as their uncle Ragnar Vogt, who taught medicine. Even a second cousin shared the full name Jørgen Herman Vogt. This lineage stretched back to great-grandfather David Vogt, a politician whose own brother also bore the name Jørgen Herman Vogt.

  • Vogt began working as a journalist between 1920 and 1923 during study trips to Germany. He took charge of Klassekampen as editor-in-chief from 1923 to 1924. That publication served as the party organ for the Young Communist League of Norway. Around that same time he joined the editorial board of Proletaren. From 1924 to 1927 he wrote for Norges Kommunistblad. He then moved to Arbeideren og Gudbrandsdalens Arbeiderblad from 1927 until 1929. These years established his career before he found work in Trondheim.

  • On the 9th of October 1941 German occupiers arrested Vogt while he lived and worked in Trondheim. Authorities held him at Vollan camp before moving him to Falstad. He spent time incarcerated at Grini concentration camp alongside other political prisoners. The occupation lasted until 1945 when Norway gained liberation. Vogt remained behind bars throughout those four years without release. His imprisonment marked a violent interruption to his life as an editor and council member.

  • Vogt won election to the Parliament of Norway after World War II ended. He represented the Market towns of Sør-Trøndelag and Nord-Trøndelag counties during one term. That same year he re-established the newspaper Ny Tid which had gone defunct in 1939. In 1946 he became editor-in-chief of Friheten, the new party organ. He served on the central committee of the Communist Party during this period. Local politics also called him back as he served in Trondheim city council from 1945 to 1951.

  • Vogt led Friheten as editor-in-chief until 1967 with a brief pause between 1962 and 1965. During that gap he acted as political secretary for the Communist Party. He moved back to Oslo where he served as deputy member of the city council from 1959 to 1963. The Schei committee worked from 1946 to 1961 to reduce the number of municipalities in Norway. Vogt sat on that committee while managing his editorial duties. He finished his career working as a secretary in the Norwegian Parliament before dying in 1972.

Common questions

When was Jørgen Vogt born and where did he enter the world?

Jørgen Herman Vogt entered the world on the 23rd of September 1900 in Kristiania. His father Johan Herman Lie Vogt held a professorship in metallurgy from 1858 until his death in 1932.

What role did Jørgen Vogt hold at Klassekampen between 1923 and 1924?

Vogt took charge of Klassekampen as editor-in-chief from 1923 to 1924. That publication served as the party organ for the Young Communist League of Norway.

Why was Jørgen Vogt arrested by German occupiers on the 9th of October 1941?

German occupiers arrested Vogt while he lived and worked in Trondheim on the 9th of October 1941. Authorities held him at Vollan camp before moving him to Falstad and later incarcerating him at Grini concentration camp alongside other political prisoners.

Which newspaper did Jørgen Vogt re-establish after World War II ended?

That same year he re-established the newspaper Ny Tid which had gone defunct in 1939. In 1946 he became editor-in-chief of Friheten, the new party organ.

How long did Jørgen Vogt lead Friheten as editor-in-chief until 1967?

Vogt led Friheten as editor-in-chief until 1967 with a brief pause between 1962 and 1965. During that gap he acted as political secretary for the Communist Party.