Christian Michelet

Christian Michelet was a Norwegian officer and businessman. His father of the same name was head of the cavalry riding school and chairman of the Norwegian Equestrian Federation. After graduating in 1909, Christian Michelet, Jr. first pursued a military career and became a first lieutenant in 1912. Three years later, he graduated from the military college and was promoted to captain in 1918 and in 1934 to major. While he was attached to the Norwegian legations in Paris, he studied at “Ecole supérieure d’Aéronautique et de Construction Mecanique” in Paris (now “Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace -Supaero” in Toulouse). There, he passed his exams as an engineer in 1919.

Michelet began his career with a manufacturer of army flight masks and the Elektrisk Bureau before joining the Department of Labour. He served on the commission that tested sulphite alcohol as a motor fuel. In 1926, he became secretary of both the Norwegian Cellulose Association and the Norwegian Wood Pulp Association, later serving as director of the Cellulose Association from 1939 to 1961. Michelet also held board positions in various companies and was honoured as a Knight of the Legion of Honour and Knight 1st Class of the Spanish Military Order.

As an army lieutenant, Michelet was selected for the Norwegian equestrian team in jumping for the 1912 Olympic Games but did not compete. Eight years later, he was a referee in the dressage and jumping events at the 1920 Olympics. He was married to Cecilie Marie “Cissy” Solberg, and together they had two sons and one daughter.