Famous Icelander Poets

Egil Skallagrímsson was a multi-faceted individual during the Viking Age. He was a war poet renowned for his poetic skills, a sorcerer believed to possess supernatural powers, a fierce berserker known for his exceptional combat abilities, and a farmer in addition to his other roles. He is famously depicted as the anti-hero in Egil's Saga, which spans a period from approximately 850 to 1000 AD. Egil's professional life was marked by his diverse talents and his involvement in various aspects of Viking society.

Birgitta Jónsdóttir is an Icelandic politician, anarchist, poet, and activist. She served as a Member of the Althing (MP) for the Southwest Constituency from 2013 to 2017, representing the Pirate Party. Prior to that, she was an MP for Reykjavík Constituency South from 2009 to 2013. Birgitta is known for her involvement in various activist movements, including her work with WikiLeaks and the creation of the International Modern Media Institute. She also co-founded the Icelandic Pirate Party and served as its Chairman from 2014 to 2015.

Sjón is a versatile Icelandic artist known for his work as a poet, novelist, lyricist, and screenwriter. He has gained international recognition for his collaborations with singer Björk and his involvement with The Sugarcubes as Johnny Triumph. Sjón's creative works have been widely translated into 30 languages, showcasing his ability to connect with audiences across the globe. With a career spanning various artistic mediums, Sjón continues to captivate audiences with his unique storytelling and lyrical prowess.

Hallgrímur Pétursson was a prominent Icelandic poet and minister known for his significant contributions to Lutheran hymnody during the Age of Orthodoxy. He served as a minister at Hvalsneskirkja and Saurbær in Hvalfjörður, where he demonstrated skillful preaching despite not having formal theological education. His most notable work, Passion Hymns, is a collection of fifty hymns for Lent. Hallgrímur's professional life was marked by his impactful pastoral work, particularly his role in promoting Lutheran hymnody in Iceland.

Jónas Hallgrímsson was an Icelandic poet, writer, and naturalist known for his significant contributions to Icelandic literature and culture. He co-founded the influential Icelandic journal Fjölnir in 1835, using it as a platform to promote Icelandic nationalism and advocate for independence. Jónas's poetry, focused on Iceland and its people, remains cherished in the country's literary canon. His dedication to the Icelandic language and culture is celebrated annually through the Jónas Hallgrímsson Award, recognizing individuals for their exceptional contributions to the language.

Hannes Hafstein was an Icelandic politician and poet who made history in 1904 by becoming the first Icelander appointed to the Danish Cabinet as the minister for Iceland in the Cabinet of Deuntzer. Unlike his predecessor, he was accountable to the Icelandic Althing, marking a significant shift in governance. Hafstein's tenure as a minister was characterized by his dedication to serving the interests of Iceland and navigating the complex relationship between Iceland and Denmark during a crucial period in history.

Matthías Jochumsson was a versatile figure in Icelandic literature and culture, known for his contributions as a Lutheran clergyman, poet, playwright, and translator. He pursued theological studies, becoming an ordained priest and serving in pastoral roles in different Icelandic towns. Alongside his religious duties, he engaged in journalism, teaching, and theatrical endeavors. Matthías's talent extended to translation work, particularly from English and Scandinavian languages, and he gained recognition for his translations of Shakespearean plays. His legacy includes writing Iceland's national anthem, "Lofsöngur," a significant cultural contribution that endures to this day.

Andri Snær Magnason is an accomplished Icelandic writer who has made significant contributions to literature, film, and environmental activism. His diverse body of work includes novels, poetry, plays, and essays, as well as award-winning children's books and non-fiction pieces. As a director and producer, he has showcased his talents in documentary filmmaking at prestigious international film festivals. With a keen focus on climate change, Andri has used his platform to raise awareness through his writing, including a poignant obituary for a lost glacier and a thought-provoking TED talk.

Jóhannes úr Kötlum was a prominent Icelandic author, poet, and member of parliament known for his beloved poems, particularly for children, which are cherished for their musicality and suitability for songs. His work has inspired numerous composers, songwriters, and musicians in Iceland, resulting in over two hundred songs and compositions based on his poetry. While adept in traditional and modern poetic forms, Jóhannes was also a vocal critic of political institutions, advocating for peace and opposing foreign occupation throughout his career.

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir is a versatile Icelandic professional known for her contributions in various creative fields. She is recognized as a distinguished professor of art history, a celebrated novelist, playwright, and poet. Her literary works have garnered significant acclaim, with notable achievements including receiving the prestigious Nordic Council Literature Prize for her novel "Hotel Silence" in 2018 and the Médicis Foreign Award for "Miss Iceland" in 2019. Through her writings and academic endeavors, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir has made a lasting impact on the literary and artistic landscape.

Einar Benediktsson, also known as Einar Ben, was an Icelandic poet and lawyer who played a crucial role in the nationalistic revival that led to Iceland's independence. He was active in founding the Landvarnarflokkurinn and served as the editor of Iceland's first daily newspaper, Dagskrá. Einar was a Neo-Romantic poet who advocated for Greenland to become part of an independent Iceland. He was a strong advocate of inward foreign investment to utilize Iceland's natural resources and was involved in the management of companies focused on building hydroelectric power plants. He also translated English and American poetry and Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt into Icelandic.

Davíð Stefánsson was a respected Icelandic poet and novelist, known for his ten volumes of poetry. He spent most of his professional life as a librarian in Akureyri, Iceland, from 1925 to 1952. His work reflected his deep connection to his homeland, its literature, and folklore. Despite his frequent travels abroad, he maintained a strong bond with Iceland and its cultural heritage. Stefánsson's contributions to Icelandic literature and his dedication to preserving its traditions were highly regarded during his time as a librarian.

Stephan G. Stephansson was a Western Icelander poet and farmer who immigrated to the United States before settling in Alberta, Canada. Self-educated and hardworking, he wrote prolifically in Icelandic, drawing influence from American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. His poetry was published in the six-volume book "Andvökur" and his letters and essays in four volumes. Stephansson's homestead is now a historic site in Alberta, open to the public. He is considered one of Iceland's foremost men of letters, and the Stephan G. Stephansson Award is named in his honor by the Writers Guild of Alberta.

Þórarinn Eldjárn is an accomplished Icelandic writer known for his humorous poetry books for children. He has a diverse body of work that includes poems, stories, novels, and translations. Notably, he gained international recognition for his novel "Brotahöfuð" which was nominated for an award. Locally respected for his short stories and witty poetry, he has a unique style that often features humorous social satire. His work has been well-received, with his poetry collection becoming a best seller upon its release.

Einar Hjörleifsson Kvaran was a versatile Icelandic professional known for his work as an editor, novelist, poet, playwright, and spiritualist. He made significant contributions to Icelandic literature through his various creative endeavors. As an editor, he played a key role in shaping the literary landscape of his time. His novels and plays showcased his storytelling skills and unique perspective. Additionally, his involvement in spiritualism highlighted his interest in exploring the unseen realms and delving into the mysteries of existence.

Tómas Guðmundsson was a prominent Icelandic writer known for his poetry. He developed a deep connection with literature and poetry from a young age, drawing inspiration from Icelandic sagas and renowned poets. He began writing his own poetry early on, showcasing his talent and passion for the art form. Throughout his professional life, Tómas Guðmundsson made significant contributions to Icelandic literature, leaving a lasting impact as Reykjavík's poet.

Jóhann Sigurjónsson was an Icelandic playwright and poet who wrote in both Icelandic and Danish. He abandoned his veterinary and agricultural studies in Denmark to pursue literature, influenced by Georg Brandes and Friedrich Nietzsche. His play Fjalla-Eyvindur achieved success in Germany, Scandinavia, and the United States, later adapted into a film. He also penned Galdra-Loftur, a tragedy about a scholar delving into sorcery for knowledge and power. Jóhann's professional life was marked by his impactful writings before his untimely death at 39.

Hjálmar Jónsson, also known as Bólu-Hjálmar, was a 19th-century Icelandic farmer and poet recognized for his sharp style and mastery of the short Icelandic poetic narrative style known as Rímur. He was an avid reader of sagas and eddas, which influenced his literary work. Despite having little formal education, he displayed an artistic and creative soul through his poetry marked by economy, clever metaphors, and pointed criticism. Bólu-Hjálmar was skilled in composing rímur and on-the-spot verses, showcasing his talent for poetic expression.

Jón Thoroddsen elder was a prominent figure in Icelandic literature, known for his contributions as a poet and novelist. He made significant strides in the literary world, showcasing his talent through various works that captivated audiences. Thoroddsen's writing displayed a deep understanding of human emotions and experiences, often reflecting the unique culture and landscape of Iceland. His works continue to be celebrated for their depth, insight, and the lasting impact they have had on Icelandic literature.

Þorsteinn Erlingsson was an Icelandic poet known for his work that critiqued the ruling classes and the church while also celebrating nature in a romantic style. He graduated from Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík in 1883 and briefly studied law in Copenhagen before returning to Iceland in 1895. Despite not completing his legal studies, his poems gained recognition in his home country. His volume of poetry, Þyrnar ("Thorns"), was published in 1897, showcasing his diverse range of themes and poetic styles.

Steingrímur Thorsteinsson was an accomplished Icelandic poet and writer known for his significant contributions to Icelandic literature. He gained recognition for his translations of various literary works, notably the Arabian Nights and fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. His expertise in translating these works into Icelandic helped introduce and popularize foreign literature in Iceland, enriching the local literary scene. Thorsteinsson's dedication to literary translation and his ability to capture the essence of these works in Icelandic made him a respected figure in the Icelandic literary community.

Eysteinn Ásgrímsson was a multifaceted figure in medieval Iceland, known for his roles as a monk, ecclesiastical inspector, and skald (poet). He is particularly renowned for his authorship of Lilja, considered one of the finest examples of medieval Icelandic Christian poetry. As a monk, he would have been dedicated to a life of religious devotion and scholarship, while his work as an ecclesiastical inspector would have involved overseeing the church's affairs and ensuring adherence to religious laws and practices.

Jón Thorkelsson Vídalín was a bishop in Skálholt, a scholar, a renowned preacher, and a prominent Latin poet of his time. He pursued his education in Copenhagen, where he obtained a degree in theology. Upon returning to Iceland, he served as a teacher at Skálholt School before becoming a cathedral priest in Skálholt. Eventually, he was appointed bishop of Skálholt, where he made significant contributions to Icelandic culture and literature through his widely read Vídalínspostillu, a collection of homilies for household reading.

Bjarni Vigfússon Thorarensen was an Icelandic poet and official who served as deputy governor of northern and eastern Iceland. He was a prominent figure aligned with the Fjölnismenn and advocated for the reestablishment of the Althing at Þingvellir. Influenced by classicism and romanticism, Bjarni's poetry was highly regarded, with his work notably inspiring fellow poet Jónas Hallgrímsson. Sæmundur Hólm was a significant influence on his writings. Bjarni's most renowned piece, Íslands minni or Eldgamla Ísafold, has solidified his legacy in Icelandic literature.

Jakob Thorarensen was an Icelandic writer and poet known for his works focused on the working class and the history of Iceland. His literary career primarily revolved around poetry, with one of his short stories, Last Words, gaining recognition in Iceland. Thorarensen's writing style and themes resonated with readers in his native country, solidifying his reputation as a skilled storyteller and poet. Through his works, he captured the essence of Icelandic society and history, leaving a lasting impact on the literary scene.