Iceland has a rich literary history, which has carried on into the modern period. [2]
Some of the best known examples of Icelandic literature are the Sagas of Icelanders. These are prose narratives based on historical events that took place in Iceland and the surrounding areas during the Saga Age. [3] [4] Most of these sagas were recorded during the 13th and 14th centuries, but the original authors and subsequent recorders of the works are unknown and thus not listed here. Although it has been suggested that Snorri Sturluson is the author of Egil's Saga . [5] The Saga tradition is not limited only to Iceland, and is an integral part of Norse mythology throughout the Nordics. [6] [7]
Another dominant form of Icelandic literature is poetry. Iceland has a rich history of poets, with many poets listed here. The early poetry of Iceland is Old Norse poetry, which is divided into the anonymous Eddic poetry, [8] and the Skaldic poetry attributed to a series of skalds, who were court poets who lived in the Viking Age and Middle Ages. [9] [10] The modern Icelandic language is sufficiently similar to the Old Norse language for speakers of modern Icelandic to be able to understand Old Norse texts. [11] Later Icelandic poetry includes the Passion Hymns by Hallgrímur Pétursson, a collection of Christian religious poetry published in 1666. [12] Modern poets include Einar Benediktsson, a neo-Romantic poet who was an important figure in Iceland's nationalistic literary revival during the 19th century, [13] and 20th-century poets such as Tómas Guðmundsson and Davíð Stefánsson.
Halldór Laxness is the only Icelander to have been awarded the Nobel Prize. [14] Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955, he is recognized as one of Iceland's greatest literary figures. He wrote poetry, newspaper articles, plays, travelogues, short stories, and novels. [15] Icelandic authors have won the Nordic Council's Literature Prize nine times. [16]
In the modern period many Icelandic authors have been successful writing in languages other than Icelandic. Others have their work translated into other languages and are known internationally. The Detective Erlendur series by crime fiction author Arnaldur Indriðason is translated into at least 24 languages, including English. [17]
Following is a list of notable Icelandic writers. [lower-alpha 1] This list includes authors of Icelandic literature, as well as writers in other literary disciplines; such as authors of fiction and non-fiction works, poets and skalds, playwrights, screenwriters, songwriters and composers, scholars, scribes, journalists, [lower-alpha 2] translators, and editors of newspapers and magazines. All the people listed here are or were Icelandic citizens, or writers with a strong connection to Iceland, for example by writing in the Icelandic language. [lower-alpha 3] People listed are from a wide range of time periods, ranging from the early Viking-age chroniclers, to modern day novelists. To help sort the writers by period, they are sorted according to the time period they lived. Although many more precise periods can be used, this list uses Contemporary for living writers, Modern for writers since the 16th century, and Medieval for the period from the 5th to the 15th century. In keeping with Icelandic naming conventions, the list is alphabetical by given name, as that is how Icelandic names are sorted.
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andri Snær Magnason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Children's book author | The Story of the Blue Planet | [19] [20] |
Anna Mjöll Ólafsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Jazz songwriter | Sjúbídú | [21] [22] |
Anna Svanhildur Björnsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Poet | Örugglega ég | [23] [24] [25] |
Ari Jósefsson | ![]() | Modern | 1939 | 1964 | Poet | Nei | [26] [27] |
Ari Trausti Guðmundsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Non-fiction author | Vegalínur | [28] [29] |
Ari Þorgilsson | ![]() | Medieval | 1067 | 1148 | Medieval chronicler | Íslendingabók | [30] [31] |
Arnaldur Indriðason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1961 | Living | Crime fiction author | Detective Erlendur series | [32] [33] [34] |
Arndís Þórarinsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1982 | Living | Children's books author | [35] | |
Arngrímr Brandsson | ![]() | Medieval | 1325 | 1361 | 14th century author | Guðmundar saga D | [36] |
Arngrímur Jónsson | ![]() | Medieval | 1568 | 1648 | 16th century scholar | Brevis commentarius de Islandia | [37] [38] |
Arnórr Jarlaskáld | ![]() | Medieval | 1012 | 1070 | Skald | [39] [40] | |
Arnthor Birgisson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1976 | Living | Dance music songwriter | ||
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Novelist | Butterflies in November | [41] [42] |
Auður Jónsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Novelist | Secretaries to the Spirits | [43] |
Auður Laxness | ![]() | Modern | 1918 | 2012 | Author | Melkorka | [44] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Álfrún Gunnlaugsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1938 | Living | Novelist | Þel | [45] [46] |
Ágústína Jónsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1949 | Living | Poet | Að baki mánans | [47] [48] |
Árni Bergmann | ![]() | Contemporary | 1935 | Living | Novelist | Thorvald the Widely-Travelled | [49] |
Árni Böðvarsson | ![]() | Modern | 1924 | 1992 | Dictionary editor | [50] [51] | |
Árni Lárentíusson | ![]() | Medieval | 1304 | 1337 | Medieval prose writer | Dunstanus saga | |
Árni Þórarinsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1950 | Living | Crime writer and journalist | [52] | |
Áslaug Jónsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Children's book author | Skrímsli í vanda | [53] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baldur Ragnarsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1930 | 2018 | Poet | [54] | |
Barði Jóhannsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Music writer | ||
Bergljót Arnalds | ![]() | Contemporary | 1968 | Living | Children's book author | [55] | |
Bergr Sokkason | ![]() | Medieval | 1316 | 1350 | 14th century scholar | Micheals Saga | [56] |
Bergþóra Árnadóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1948 | 2007 | Folk songwriter | [57] | |
Bersi Skáldtorfuson | ![]() | Medieval | 980 | 1030 | 11th century skald | [58] | |
Birgir Sigurðsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1937 | 2019 | Drama writer | ||
Birgitta Jónsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1967 | Living | Poet | [59] [60] | |
Birgitta Sif | ![]() | Contemporary | 1981 | Living | Children's book author | [61] | |
Bjarki Karlsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Poet | Árleysi alda | [62] [63] |
Bjarni Bjarnason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Novelist | Endurkoma Maríu | |
Bjarni Harðarson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1961 | Living | Novelist | [64] [65] | |
Bjarni Thorarensen | ![]() | Modern | 1786 | 1841 | Poet | [66] [67] | |
Björgvin Franz Gíslason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Children's book author | [68] | |
Björk Guðmundsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Songwriter | Debut , Post , "Homogenic", Vulnicura , Fossora | [69] |
Björn Th. Björnsson | ![]() | Modern | 1922 | 2007 | Novelist | [70] [71] | |
Böðvar Guðmundsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1939 | Living | Novelist | [72] | |
Bogi Ágústsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1952 | Living | Journalist | [73] | |
Bragi Boddason | ![]() | Medieval | 800 | 850 | 9th century poet | ||
Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1982 | Living | Children's book author | [74] | |
Brynhildur Þórarinsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Children's book author | ||
Brynjar Leifsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1990 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Brynjólfur Pétursson | ![]() | Modern | 1810 | 1851 | Magazine editor | Fjölnismenn | [75] [76] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Davíð Oddsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Newspaper editor | Editor of Morgunblaðið | [77] [78] |
Davíð Stefánsson | ![]() | Modern | 1895 | 1964 | Poet | [79] [80] | |
Drífa Viðar | ![]() | Modern | 1920 | 1971 | Novelist | Fjalldalslilja | [81] [82] [83] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eggert Ólafsson | ![]() | Modern | 1726 | 1768 | Poet | Reise igiennem Island | [84] |
Egill Helgason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Journalist | [85] | |
Egill Skallagrímsson | ![]() | Medieval | 904 | 995 | Viking-Age poet | Höfuðlausn | [86] |
Eilífr Goðrúnarson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th-century skald | Þórsdrápa | [87] | |
Eilífr kúlnasveinn | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 12th or 13th century skald | [88] | ||
Einar Benediktsson | ![]() | Modern | 1864 | 1940 | Poet | [89] | |
Einar Bragi | ![]() | Modern | 1921 | 2005 | Poet | [90] | |
Einar Hjörleifsson Kvaran | ![]() | Modern | 1859 | 1938 | Newspaper editor, et al | [91] | |
Einar Kárason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Novelist | [92] [93] | |
Einar Már Guðmundson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1954 | Living | Novelist | [94] | |
Einar Ragnarsson Kvaran | ![]() | Modern | 1920 | 2012 | Genealogist | [95] | |
Einarr Gilsson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 14th century poet | [96] | ||
Einarr Hafliðason | ![]() | Medieval | 1307 | 1393 | 14th century chronicler | [97] | |
Einarr Helgason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | [98] [99] | ||
Einarr Skúlason | ![]() | Medieval | 1100 | 1159 | 12th century skald | [100] | |
Eiríkur Bergmann | ![]() | Contemporary | 1969 | Living | Scholarly author & novelist | Samsærið | [101] [102] |
Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl | ![]() | Contemporary | 1978 | Living | Poet | llska | [103] |
Eiríkur Rögnvaldsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Scholarly author | [104] | |
Elín Briem | ![]() | Modern | 1856 | 1937 | Cookbook author | [105] | |
Elín Ebba Gunnarsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1953 | Living | Short fiction author | [106] | |
Elísabet Jökulsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Journalist and poet | [107] | |
Elsa G. Vilmundardóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1932 | 2008 | Non-fiction author | [108] | |
Emil Thoroddsen | ![]() | Modern | 1898 | 1944 | Songwriter | [109] | |
Erla Stefánsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1935 | 2015 | Seer | [110] | |
Ernir Kristján Snorrason | ![]() | Modern | 1944 | 2012 | Novelist | [111] | |
Eyjólfr Dáðaskáld | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | [112] | ||
Eysteinn Ásgrímsson | ![]() | Medieval | 1310 | 1360 | Poet | [113] | |
Eysteinn Björnsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1942 | Living | Author | [114] | |
Eysteinn Valdason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | [115] | ||
Eyvindur P. Eiríksson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1935 | Living | Poet | [116] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finnur Jónsson | ![]() | Modern | 1858 | 1934 | Scholar | Historia Ecclesiastica Islandiæ | [117] |
Finnur Magnússon | ![]() | Modern | 1781 | 1847 | Scholarly author | ||
Fríða Á. Sigurðardóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1940 | 2010 | Novelist | [118] [119] [120] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gamli Gnævaðarskáld | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | |||
Gerður Kristný | ![]() | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Poet | ||
Gísli Örn Garðarsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Screenwriter | ||
Gísli Rúnar Jónsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1953 | 2020 | Screenwriter | ||
Glúmr Geirason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | |||
Gottskálk grimmi Nikulásson | ![]() | Medieval | 1469 | 1520 | Author of Rauðskinna | ||
Grímur Hákonarson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Screenwriter | ||
Grímur Thomsen | ![]() | Modern | 1820 | 1896 | Poet | ||
Guðbergur Bergsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1932 | Living | Author | ||
Guðmundur Andri Thorsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1957 | Living | Novelist | ||
Guðmundur G. Hagalín | ![]() | Modern | 1898 | 1985 | Short story author | ||
Guðmundur Kamban | ![]() | Modern | 1888 | 1945 | Novelist | ||
Guðmundur Steingrímsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | [ citation needed ] | ||
Guðni Th. Jóhannesson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1968 | Living | Non-fiction writer | ||
Guðný Halldórsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1954 | Living | Screenwriter | ||
Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1976 | Living | Novelist | ||
Guðrún frá Lundi | ![]() | Modern | 1887 | 1975 | Novelist | ||
Guðrún Helgadóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1935 | Living | Children's book author | ||
Guðrún Kristín Magnúsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1939 | Living | Author | ||
Guðrún Lárusdóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1880 | 1938 | Writer | ||
Gunnar Gunnarsson | ![]() | Modern | 1889 | 1975 | Novelist | ||
Gunnlaugr Leifsson | ![]() | Medieval | 1190 | 1218 | Poet | ||
Gunnlaugr Ormstunga | ![]() | Medieval | 983 | 1008 | Poet | ||
Gyrðir Elíasson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1961 | Living | Poet |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Halla Gunnarsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1981 | Living | Journalist | ||
Hallar-Steinn | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 13th century poet | |||
Halldór Guðmundsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1956 | Living | Biographer | ||
Halldór Laxness | ![]() | Modern | 1902 | 1998 | Iceland's Nobel laureate | ||
Halldóra K. Thoroddsen | ![]() | Contemporary | 1950 | 2020 | Novelist | ||
Halldórr skvaldri | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | |||
Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld | ![]() | Medieval | 965 | 1007 | Skald | ||
Hallgerður Gísladóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1952 | 2007 | Poet | ||
Hallgrímur Helgason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Novelist | ||
Hallgrímur Pétursson | ![]() | Modern | 1614 | 1674 | Poet | ||
Hannes Hafstein | ![]() | Modern | 1861 | 1922 | Poet | ||
Hannes Pétursson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1931 | Living | Poet | ||
Hannes Sigfússon | ![]() | Modern | 1922 | 1997 | Poet | ||
Haukr Erlendsson | ![]() | Modern | 1265 | 1334 | Scholar | [121] | |
Helgi Pjeturss | ![]() | Modern | 1872 | 1949 | Scientific writer | ||
Hera Hjartardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1983 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Hermann Pálsson | ![]() | Modern | 1921 | 2002 | Scholar | ||
Hermann Stefánsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1968 | Living | Author | ||
Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson | ![]() | Modern | 1958 | Living | Music writer | ||
Hitesh Ceon | ![]() | Contemporary | 1974 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Hjálmar Jónsson | ![]() | Modern | 1796 | 1875 | Poet | ||
Hrafnhildur Hagalín | ![]() | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Playwright | ||
Hulda | ![]() | Modern | 1881 | 1946 | Poet |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1978 | Living | Screenwriter | Ástríður | [122] |
Indriði G. Þorsteinsson | ![]() | Modern | 1926 | 2000 | Novelist | 79 af stöðinni | [123] |
Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1942 | 2016 | Poet | Kona | [124] [125] [126] [127] |
Ingólfur Margeirsson | ![]() | Modern | 1948 | 2011 | Newspaper editor | Lífsjátning | [128] [129] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Íeda Herman | ![]() | Contemporary | 1925 | 2019 | Author | Viking Kids Don't Cry | [130] |
Ísak Harðarson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1956 | Living | Poet | [131] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jakobína Sigurðardóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1918 | 1994 | Modernist writer | ||
Jófríður Ákadóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1994 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Jóhann Gunnar Sigurðsson | ![]() | Modern | 1882 | 1906 | Poet | ||
Jóhann Sigurjónsson | ![]() | Modern | 1880 | 1919 | Poet | ||
Jóhannes úr Kötlum | ![]() | Modern | 1899 | 1972 | Poet | ||
Jón Árnason | ![]() | Modern | 1819 | 1888 | Folklorist | ||
Jón Atli Jónasson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | Playwright | ||
Jón Helgason | ![]() | Modern | 1899 | 1986 | Poet | ||
Jón Hnefill Aðalsteinsson | ![]() | Modern | 1927 | 2010 | Folklorist | ||
Jón Kalman Stefánsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Novelist | ||
Jón lærði Guðmundsson | ![]() | Modern | 1574 | 1651 | Sorcerer and poet | ||
Jón Leifs | ![]() | Modern | 1899 | 1968 | Music writer | ||
Jón Magnússon | ![]() | Modern | 1610 | 1696 | Author of the Píslarsaga | ||
Jón Oddsson Hjaltalín | ![]() | Modern | 1749 | 1835 | Religious writer | ||
Jón Ólafsson | ![]() | Modern | 1850 | 1916 | Journalist | ||
Jón Ólafsson [lower-alpha 4] | ![]() | Modern | 1594 | 1679 | Explorer and autobiographer | ||
Jón Örn Loðmfjörð | ![]() | Contemporary | 1983 | Living | Experimental poet | ||
Jón Óskar | ![]() | Modern | 1921 | 1998 | Poet | ||
Jón frá Pálmholti | ![]() | Modern | 1930 | 2004 | Poet | ||
Jón Sveinsson | ![]() | Modern | 1857 | 1944 | Children's book writer | ||
Jón Thoroddsen elder | ![]() | Modern | 1818 | 1868 | Poet and novelist | ||
Jón Thoroddsen junior | ![]() | Modern | 1898 | 1924 | Author | ||
Jón Trausti Sigurðarson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1982 | Living | Newspaper editor | ||
Jón úr Vör | ![]() | Modern | 1917 | 2000 | Poet | ||
Jónas Hallgrímsson | ![]() | Modern | 1807 | 1845 | Magazine editor | ||
Jónas Kristjánsson | ![]() | Modern | 1924 | 2014 | Novelist | ||
Jónína Leósdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1954 | Living | Author | ||
Jórunn skáldmær | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Karl Jónsson | ![]() | Medieval | 1135 | 1213 | Poet | ||
Kolbeinn Tumason | ![]() | Medieval | 1173 | 1207 | Poet | ||
Konráð Gíslason | ![]() | Modern | 1808 | 1891 | Grammarian | ||
Kormákr Ögmundarson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | |||
Kristín Eiríksdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1981 | Living | Poet | [132] | |
Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Children's book writer | ||
Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1949 | Living | Novelist | ||
Kristín Ómarsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Author | ||
Kristín Steinsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1946 | Living | Children's book writer | ||
Kristinn Ármannsson | ![]() | Modern | 1895 | 1966 | Author of Latin Grammar | ||
Kristinn Hrafnsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Investigative journalist | ||
Kristján B. Jónasson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1967 | Living | Biographer | ||
Kristján Karlsson | ![]() | Modern | 1922 | 2014 | Poet | ||
Kristjan Niels Julius | ![]() | Modern | 1860 | 1936 | Poet | ||
Kristmann Guðmundsson | ![]() | Modern | 1901 | 1983 | Novelist |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lilja Sigurðardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | Crime fiction writer | Snare | [133] |
Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Poet | [134] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magnús Eiríksson | ![]() | Modern | 1806 | 1881 | Theologian | [135] | |
Magnús Jónsson | ![]() | Modern | 1530 | 1591 | Poet | ||
Magnús Jónsson í Tjaldanesi | ![]() | Modern | 1835 | 1922 | Scribe | [136] [137] | |
Magnús Kjartansson | ![]() | Modern | 1919 | 1981 | Newspaper editor | [138] | |
Magnus Magnusson | ![]() | Modern | 1929 | 2007 | Journalist | [139] [140] [141] | |
Magnús Þór Jónsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1945 | Living | Songwriter | ||
María Lilja Þrastardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1986 | Living | Author | ||
Marta María Stephensen | ![]() | Modern | 1770 | 1805 | Pioneering author | ||
Matthías Jochumsson | ![]() | Modern | 1835 | 1920 | Author of Lofsöngur | ||
Mikael Torfason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1974 | Living | Novelist | Syndafallið | [142] [143] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1989 | Living | Songwriter | [ citation needed ] | |
Nína Björk Árnadóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1941 | 2000 | Novelist | [144] [145] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oddný Eir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | Autobiographer | [146] | |
Oddr Snorrason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Medieval chronicler | The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason | [147] [148] [149] | |
Olvir Hnufa | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | [150] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ófeigur Sigurðsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Poet | [151] | |
Óláfr Leggsson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 13th century skald | |||
Óláfr Þórðarson | ![]() | Medieval | 1210 | 1259 | Skald | [152] | |
Ólafur Egilsson | ![]() | Modern | 1564 | 1639 | Autobiographer | Reisubók séra Ólafs Egilssonar | [153] |
Ólafur Gunnarsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Author | [154] | |
Ólafur Haukur Símonarson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1947 | Living | Playwright | [155] [156] [157] | |
Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Novelist | [158] | |
Ólafur Jóhann Sigurðsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1918 | 1988 | Novelist | [159] | |
Ólafur Jóhannesson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Screenwriter | [160] | |
Ólína Þorvarðardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Scholar | [161] [162] | |
Óskar Halldórsson | ![]() | Modern | 1921 | 1983 | Scholar | [163] | |
Óskar Jónasson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Screenwriter | [164] | |
Óttar M. Norðfjörð | ![]() | Contemporary | 1980 | Living | Crime fiction writer | [165] | |
Óttarr svarti | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | [166] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Örn Árnason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Screenwriter | [167] | |
Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Poet | [168] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Páll Ólafsson | ![]() | Modern | 1827 | 1905 | Poet | [169] | |
Paul Oscar | ![]() | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Songwriter | Minn hinsti dans | [170] |
Pétur Gunnarsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1947 | Living | Author | [171] | |
Pétur Þorsteinsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Dictionary editor | Pétrísk-Íslensk Orðabók | [172] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ragna Sigurðardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Author | Borg (City) | [173] |
Ragnar Jónasson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1976 | Living | Crime writer | Dark Iceland series | [174] [175] |
Ragnar Þórhallsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1987 | Living | Songwriter | [ citation needed ] | |
Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1953 | Living | Children's author | [176] | |
Róbert Ingi Douglas | ![]() | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Screenwriter | ||
Rósa Guðmundsdóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1795 | 1855 | Poet | [177] [178] | |
Rúnar Rúnarsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Screenwriter | [179] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sæmundr fróði | ![]() | Medieval | 1056 | 1133 | 11th century scholar | ||
Sigfús Daðason | ![]() | Modern | 1928 | 1996 | Poet | ||
Sighvatr Sturluson | ![]() | Medieval | 1170 | 1238 | Poet | ||
Sigrún Davíðsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Journalist | ||
Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Author | ||
Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Poet | ||
Sigurður Breiðfjörð | ![]() | Modern | 1798 | 1846 | Poet | ||
Sigurður Nordal | ![]() | Modern | 1886 | 1974 | Scholar | ||
Sigurður Pálsson | ![]() | Modern | 1948 | 2017 | Poet | ||
Sigurður Sigurjónsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Screenwriter | ||
Sigurlaug Gísladóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1984 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Sigurlaugur Elíasson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1957 | Living | Poet | ||
Sigvatr Þórðarson | ![]() | Medieval | 995 | 1045 | Skald | ||
Sindri Freysson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Novelist | ||
Sindri Sindrason | ![]() | Contemporary | Unknown | Journalist | |||
Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Poet | ||
Skapti Þóroddsson | ![]() | Medieval | ? | 1030 | Skald | ||
Skúli Þórsteinsson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Poet | |||
Snorri Hergill Kristjánsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1974 | Living | Author | ||
Snorri Hjartarson | ![]() | Modern | 1906 | 1986 | Poet | ||
Snorri Sturluson | ![]() | Medieval | 1179 | 1241 | Poet | ||
Sóley Stefánsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1986 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Sólveig Anspach | ![]() | Modern | 1960 | 2015 | Screenwriter | ||
Sölvi Fannar | ![]() | Contemporary | 1971 | Living | |||
Stefán Einarsson | ![]() | Modern | 1897 | 1972 | Literary historian | ||
Stefán frá Hvítadal | ![]() | Modern | 1887 | 1933 | Poet | ||
Stefán Hörður Grímsson | ![]() | Modern | 1919 | 2002 | Poet | ||
Stefán Jón Hafstein | ![]() | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Author | ||
Stefán Sigurðsson | ![]() | Modern | 1887 | 1933 | Poet | ||
Steinar Bragi | ![]() | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Author | ||
Steingrímur Thorsteinsson | ![]() | Modern | 1831 | 1913 | Translator | ||
Steinn Steinarr | ![]() | Modern | 1908 | 1958 | Poet | ||
Steinunn Finnsdóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1640 | 1710 | Poet | ||
Steinunn Refsdóttir | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | |||
Steinunn Sigurðardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1950 | Living | Novelist | ||
Steinvör Sighvatsdóttir | ![]() | Medieval | 1210 | 1271 | Poet | ||
Stefán Guðmundur Guðmundsson | ![]() | Modern | 1853 | 1927 | Poet | ||
Sturla Þórðarson | ![]() | Medieval | 1214 | 1284 | Skald | ||
Svala Björgvinsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Svava Jakobsdóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1930 | 2004 | Author | ||
Svavar Knútur Kristinsson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Songwriter | |||
Sveinbjörn Egilsson | ![]() | Modern | 1791 | 1852 | Theologian |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thor Vilhjálmsson | ![]() | Modern | 1925 | 2011 | Writer | ||
Thorarinn Leifsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1966 | Living | Author | ||
Thordis Elva | ![]() | Contemporary | 1980 | Living | Autobiographer | ||
Thormodus Torfæus | ![]() | Modern | 1636 | 1719 | Historian | ||
Tindr Hallkelsson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | |||
Tómas Guðmundsson | ![]() | Modern | 1901 | 1983 | Poet | ||
Tómas Sæmundsson | ![]() | Modern | 1807 | 1841 | Fjölnismenn | ||
Tony Jonsson | ![]() | Modern | 1921 | 2001 | Autobiographer | ||
Torfhildur Þorsteinsdóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1845 | 1918 | Iceland's first woman novelist | ||
Tyrfingur Tyrfingsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1987 | Living | Playwright |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Þjóðólfr Arnórsson | ![]() | Medieval | 1010 | 1066 | 11th century skald | [180] | |
Þór Whitehead | ![]() | Contemporary | 1943 | Living | Historian | [181] | |
Þórarinn Eldjárn | ![]() | Contemporary | 1949 | Living | Author | [182] | |
Þórarinn loftunga | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | [183] | ||
Þórarinn Skeggjason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | [184] | ||
Þórbergur Þórðarson | ![]() | Modern | 1889 | 1974 | Author | [185] [186] | |
Þorbjörn dísarskáld | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | [187] [188] | ||
Þórdís Gísladóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Children's book author | [189] [190] | |
Þórðr Kolbeinsson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | [191] | ||
Þórðr Sjáreksson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | [192] | ||
Þórður Helgason | ![]() | Contemporary | 1947 | Living | Author | [193] | |
Þorgils gjallandi | ![]() | Modern | 1851 | 1915 | Author | [194] | |
Þorgrímur Þráinsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Writer | [195] [196] | |
Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1987 | Living | Journalist | [197] | |
Þórir Jökull Steinfinnsson | ![]() | Medieval | ? | 1238 | Skald | ||
Þorleifr jarlsskáld | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | |||
Þorleifur Repp | ![]() | Modern | 1794 | 1857 | Newspaper editor | ||
Þorsteinn Erlingsson | ![]() | Modern | 1858 | 1914 | Poet | ||
Þorsteinn frá Hamri | ![]() | Modern | 1938 | 2018 | Poet | ||
Þorsteinn Gylfason | ![]() | Modern | 1942 | 2005 | Philosopher | ||
Þórunn Elfa Magnúsdóttir | ![]() | Modern | 1910 | 1995 | Novelist | ||
Þórunn Erna Clausen | ![]() | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Songwriter | ||
Þórvaldr Hjaltason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | |||
Þorvaldr veili | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | |||
Þráinn Bertelsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1944 | Living | Author |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Úlfr Uggason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | Húsdrápa | [198] | |
Unnar Gísli Sigurmundsson | ![]() | Contemporary | Unknown | Songwriter | Color Decay | [199] |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1989 | Living | Author | [200] | |
Vetrliði Sumarliðason | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | [201] | ||
Vigdís Grímsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1953 | Living | Poet | [202] [203] | |
Vigfúss Víga-Glúmsson | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | [204] | ||
Viktor Arnar Ingólfsson | ![]() | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Crime fiction writer | Afturelding | [205] |
Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1930 | 2021 | Poet | [206] | |
Vilborg Davíðsdóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Novelist | [207] | |
Vilmundur Gylfason | ![]() | Modern | 1948 | 1983 | Poet | [208] | |
Völu-Steinn | ![]() | Medieval | Unknown | Skald |
Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir | ![]() | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Crime fiction writer | Biobörn | [209] |
Yvonne K. Fulbright | ![]() | Contemporary | ? | Living | Sexologist | [210] |
A skald, or skáld is one of the often named poets who composed skaldic poetry, one of the two kinds of Old Norse poetry in alliterative verse, the other being Eddic poetry. Skaldic poems were traditionally composed to honor kings, but were sometimes extempore. They include both extended works and single verses (lausavísur). They are characteristically more ornate in form and diction than eddic poems, employing many kennings, which require some knowledge of Norse mythology, and heiti, which are formal nouns used in place of more prosaic synonyms. Dróttkvætt metre is a type of skaldic verse form that most often use internal rhyme and alliteration.
Bragi Boddason, known as Bragi the Old was a Norwegian skald active in the first half of the 9th century, the earliest known skald from whom verses have survived. Portions of his Ragnarsdrápa are preserved in Snorri Sturluson's Edda.
Þjóðólfr ór Hvini, was a Norwegian skald, said to have been one of the court-poets of the Norwegian king Harald Fairhair. His name suggests that he was from the region of Hvinir (Kvinesdal). Two skaldic poems, Haustlǫng (Autumn-long) and Ynglingatal, are generally attributed to him.
Ragnarsdrápa is a skaldic poem said to have been composed in honour of the Scandinavian hero, Ragnar Lodbrok, but likely actually addressed to some later Ragnar. It is attributed to the oldest known skald, Bragi Boddason, who lived in the 9th century, and was composed for the Swedish king Björn at Haugi. Bragi describes the images on a decorated shield which Ragnar had given to him. The images included:
Ísak Harðarson was a seminal 20th century Icelandic poet and translator. He had also written short stories, novels, and a memoir. He graduated from the University of Iceland in 1977. His first book, a poetry collection called Þriggja orða nafn was released in 1982. In the wake of its success, Ísak published a deluge of poetry, short story collections, novels, and a memoir. His poetry appeared in the anthology Ský fyrir ský in 2000. Ísak has written lyrics, and his poetry has been performed to music, and his work has been anthologised abroad in publications such as The Cafe Review. His work, as both poet and proseist, is characterised by surreal and absurd descriptions of everyday life, as well as self-deprecating humour, as in his poem Skáld-Pabbi. Likewise, his texts satirise political, social, and economic structures both within Iceland and abroad.
Kristín Ómarsdóttir is an Icelandic author, poet and playwright.
Gerður Kristný is an Icelandic writer who is best known for her poetry and books for children.
Icelandic literature refers to literature written in Iceland or by Icelandic people. It is best known for the sagas written in medieval times, starting in the 13th century. As Icelandic and Old Norse are almost the same, and because Icelandic works constitute most of Old Norse literature, Old Norse literature is often wrongly considered a subset of Icelandic literature. However, works by Norwegians are present in the standard reader Sýnisbók íslenzkra bókmennta til miðrar átjándu aldar, compiled by Sigurður Nordal on the grounds that the language was the same.
The Reykjavík Grapevine is an English language Icelandic magazine and online newspaper based in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík. Its target audience primarily consists of foreigners, immigrants, international students, young Icelanders, and tourists. The magazine is currently a year-round publication, fortnightly from May to October, and monthly from November to April.
Sturla Þórðarson was an Icelandic chieftain and writer of sagas and contemporary history during the 13th century.
Halldórr skvaldri was an Icelandic skald who lived in the first half of the twelfth century.
Ari Jósefsson was an Icelandic poet. He published only one book of poetry during his lifetime, entitled Nei (1961), meaning "No" in Icelandic. The book sold out its first printing. The third edition of the book includes three short stories by Jósefsson.
Óttar Martin Norðfjörð is an Icelandic writer, both of crime fiction and poetry. He has a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Iceland. His first novel, Barnagælur, was published in 2005. His crime novels have been translated into Dutch, German and Spanish.
Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir is an Icelandic author, noted for her children's books.
Nýhil was an Icelandic avant-garde small press and association of young writers, founded around 2002-2004 by Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl and Haukur Már Helgason, followed shortly by Grímur Hákonarson, and ceasing operation around 2011.
Ari Trausti Guðmundsson is an Icelandic geologist, author, documentarian, broadcaster, journalist, lecturer, mountaineer and explorer. He worked as teacher, consultant and lecturer on: earth science, environmental and tourism issues. He served as a mountain guide, TV- weather reporter, media presenter and producer and has planned nature and science exhibitions in Iceland, Paris and London and authored non-fiction books, fiction and poetry. He was a presidential candidate in 2012.He was elected as a member of Icelandic Parliament in 2016 and served until 2021.
Ólafur Gunnarsson is a contemporary Icelandic author and translator.
Ævar Örn Jósepsson is an Icelandic journalist, translator, and author.
Hatari are an Icelandic techno, industrial and punk rock band and performance art group from Reykjavík. Their public image incorporates elements of anti-capitalism and BDSM attire. The band currently consists of Klemens Hannigan, Einar Stefánsson and Davíð Katrínarson, the latter of whom replacing original member Matthías Haraldsson in 2023. They have released an album and an extended play, encompassing several singles. Hatari represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with their song "Hatrið mun sigra", finishing tenth.
Finnur Jónsson, bishop of Skálholt, wrote Historia Ecclesiastica Islandiæ (1772–78), which covers the history of Christianity in Iceland. Jón Espólín published Íslands árbækur (1822–55; "Annals of Iceland"), a history of Iceland from 1262.