| AdminHistory | Born in Ellidhavatn, Iceland, 1864; son of a leader of the Icelandic independence movement; received a law degree at Copenhagen, 1892; briefly edited a newspaper, 'Dagskr', advocating the cause of Icelandic independence, 1896-1898; spent much of his life abroad, raising capital to develop Icelandic industries; published five volumes of Symbolist verse, which reflected his patriotism, mysticism, love of nature, and the influence of his extensive travels; died at Herdsarvk, 1940. Publications: 'Sgur og kvaedi' (1897; 'Stories and Poems'); 'Hafblik' (1906; 'Smooth Seas'); 'Hrannir' (1913; 'Waves'); 'Vogar' (1921; 'Billows'); 'Hvammar' (1930; 'Grass Hollows'); translated Ibsen's 'Peer Gynt' into Icelandic; a selection of his poems was translated into English as 'Harp of the North' by Frederic T Wood (1955). |