Søren Christian Sommerfelt was a Norwegian priest and botanist, best known for his study of spore plants.
He was born at Toten in Oppland, Norway. He was the son of County Governor Christian Sommerfelt and Anna Sophie Hagerup. In 1811, when he was 15 years of age, he became a student at the University of Copenhagen. He first studied theology, but later focused on science. In 1816, he traveled to Oslo to continue his theological studies and earn his theological degree. In 1818 he was appointed parish priest at Saltdal in Nordland where he served until 1824. He was next assigned assistant pastor at Asker parish in Akershus and subsequently he was vicar in Ringebu parish in Oppland.