He was born in Kristiania. He became a military officer in 1872. Through the rifle associations he became affiliated with the Liberal Party. He was elected to the Parliament of Norway in 1900, representing the constituency of Trondhjem og Levanger. He held the rank of Captain at that time. He served only one term, but had previously served as a deputy representative during the term 1898–1900. On 20 August 1909, he was appointed as the new Minister of Defence in the first cabinet Knudsen. He held this position until 1 February 1910, when the cabinet resigned. In 1914 he was promoted to Major General, and from 1916 to 1919 he was the Inspector-General of the Infantry. He died in July 1928.