[Medical and natrual scientists behind the museum which became the University of Bergen].

The University of Bergen celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996. The University was built on an earlier institution, the Bergen Museum, founded in 1825. From 1880 until the beginning of this century the Museum gradually developed into an institution for research and higher education. The article describes work done by some of the key persons involved in this process, mainly medical and natural scientists. In particular, their international relations and ability to cooperative with other scientists were crucial factors in establishing the pillars of the later University of Bergen. Today, the University of Bergen has nearly 18,000 students and seven faculties, and is a highly internationalised institution.