| Office: | First Minister of Norway |
| Term Start: | 1 July 1822 |
| Term End: | 19 September 1836 |
| Successor: | Nicolai Krog |
| Office2: | Minister of Education and Church Affairs |
| Term Start2: | 15 October 1819 |
| Term End2: | 15 September 1820 |
| Primeminister2: | Peder Anker |
| Predecessor2: | Niels Treschow |
| Successor2: | Niels Treschow |
| Office3: | Minister of Finance |
| Primeminister3: | Mathias Sommerhielm Severin Løvenskiold |
| Term Start3: | 1 January 1822 |
| Term End3: | 17 December 1836 |
| Predecessor3: | Herman W. Jarlsberg |
| Successor3: | Jørgen Herman Vogt |
| Term Start4: | 15 October 1818 |
| Term End4: | 30 November 1818 |
| Primeminister4: | Peder Anker |
| Predecessor4: | Herman W. Jarlsberg |
| Successor4: | Herman W. Jarlsberg |
| Office5: | Minister of the Army |
| Term Start5: | 15 May 1819 |
| Term End5: | 15 October 1819 |
| Primeminister5: | Peder Anker |
| Predecessor5: | Mathias Sommerhielm |
| Successor5: | Nicolai Krog |
| Birth Date: | 25 March 1772 |
| Birth Place: | Næstved, Denmark |
| Death Place: | Christiania, United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway |
| Nationality: | Norwegian |
| Spouse: | Maren Christine Collett |
Jonas Collett (25 March 1772 – 3 January 1851) was a Danish-Norwegian public official, legislator, and statesman. Born on the Rønnebæksholm estate at Næstved in Denmark, he remained in Norway after the termination of the personal union with Denmark in 1814. He was the First minister of Norway (1822-1836).[1]
Collett was born at the family manor house Rønnebæksholm (Rønnebæksholm Gods) in Næstved, Denmark. He was the son of Johan Collett (1734-1806) and Maureen Elisabeth Jensen (1746-1788). He was educated at the University of Copenhagen and graduated in 1791. Educated in the law, he soon entered public service. In 1795, he was appointed Bailiff in Numedal and later Kongsberg year. He replaced Herman Wedel Jarlsberg as acting County Governor of Buskerud in 1813 and was succeeded by his brother Johan Collett in 1814.[2] [3] [4]
Collett was a Member of Norwegian Parliament in 1814, 1818, 1824 and 1827. He played an important role in the events of Norway in 1814 and became known as one of the "Eidsvoll men". Together with Niels Aall, he led the negotiations with Swedish general Magnus Björnstjerna which resulted in the Convention of Moss. Later, he participated in several government positions. He was a prominent minister and received the post of First minister when the former First minister Mathias Sommerhielm left Christiania in 1822. His position made him the most prominent minister, although with political power than that of the Governor of Norway. When governor Baltzar von Platen died in 1829, no new governor was appointed, and Collett subsequently became the highest authority in Norway until he left office in 1836, except for a brief period in 1833 when Crown Prince Oscar was appointed viceroy.[5] [6]
He was married in 1797 to Maren Christine Collett (1777-1860), daughter of landowner Peter Collett (1740-1786) and his second wife Johanne Henriche Ancher (1750-1812). He died in Christiania (now Oslo) and was buried at Vår Frelsers gravlund.