Among the most well-known of Nils Larsen's accomplishments is his service as a Norwegian Sea Captain on the Norwegian Antarctic missions. After completing his master's degree from the University of Sandar in Norway, Larsen went on to work for a shipping firm, where he rose to the position of well-known whaler. Nils Larsen not only led a number of his own ships, but he also served as a first mate on the Norvegia missions to Antarctica, which he helped to organize.