He was born in Leith, Scotland as a son of priest in the Norwegian Church Abroad (Sjømannskirken), Andreas Michael Hansen (1834–1901) and Simonine Stephansen (1840–1925).
[2] They had the son Alf Scott-Hansen (1903–1961), a film director who was once married to actress and singer, Wenche Foss (1917-2011).
Before graduating he had been hired in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration in 1893, State Port Authority (Statens Havnevesen) later in 1893, then Sam Eyde's company Gleim & Eyde in 1897 before he became subdirector in Norges Oplysningskontor for Næringsveiene in 1902.
Here he re-joined Sam Eyde, who served as director-general, the highest executive in Norsk Hydro.
[6] He was decorated as a Knight, Second Class of the House and Merit Order of Peter Frederick Louis.