to the field of cryptography. From 1960–1966, Selmer served as vice dean at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Bergen, and dean from 1966–1968. Selmer was a member of the Council for Electronic Data Processing in the Norwegian state from its establishment in 1961 to 1973. Personal relations Selmer was married to Signe Randi Johanne Faanes and had one daughter, the microbiologist Johanne-Sophie Selmer who was educated at Karlstad University. His wife became his support throughout his life, and his great efforts in many fields would probably not have been possible without her. While work was his life, he was also a man that gave his home and family high priority. One time Selmer would not want to break a deal with his daughter in favor of a meeting with Fields Medal winner Alan Baker. Selmer was also fond of gardening as a hobby and the famous botanist Knut Fægri used to make excursions to Selmer's garden. In 1990 he retired with his wife in Ski and was in good physical and mental shape until he was hit by a stroke in the fall of 2004, after the stroke he was never the same. On the 8th of November 2006 Selmer fell asleep quietly. Selmer was elected member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in 1961, and became a knight of the 1st class of the Order of St. Olav in 1983. In 2020, the University of Bergen published the book "Professor in Secret Service", which is a biography on Selmer. Legacy In honor of Prof. Ernst Sejersted Selmer the University of Bergen established the Selmer Center in 2003. The Selmer Center held a leading position in the field of cryptography nationally and internationally, with roots going back 70 years. Selmer is behind the algorithm used to calculate the check digits in Norwegian birth numbers. Norwegian-developed mathematical theory became an important contribution to the modernization of crypto-algorithms in NATO and the NSA. Selmer's advanced research formed the basis for National Security Agency to develop modern crypto machines. Publications References External links interview with Selmer Selmer center 1920 births 2006 deaths Norwegian mathematicians Number theorists Academic staff of the University of Oslo Academic staff of the University of Bergen Institute for Advanced Study visiting scholars Members of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters