Iceland 1930

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1830571079

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-221162

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Iceland 1930

Edition:: 2. ed.

Place of publication:: Reykjavík

Publisher:: Ríkisprentsmiđjan Gutenberg

Year of publication:: 1930

Scope:: 193 S.; Tab., Kt., Taf.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Literature

Collection:: Economics Books

153 In connexion with historical writing it may not be out of place to mention the Icelandic Folk-Tales, perhaps the most remarkable branch of our literature. These are: stories of elves; stories of trolls; ghost stories; stories of magic; legends; stories of outlaws; fairy-tales, etc. etc. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries they have been collected, and several volumes have already been published; but the subject is by no means exhausted yet. They are a good mirror of the nation’s imaginative power and art of story-telling, for they have been told and written down by men of all classes, and show the influence which the reading of the Icelandic sagas by generation after generation has exercised on the popular style and form. From the 17th century onwards many eminent Icelandic scholars, both at home and abroad, have devoted themselves to the scientific study of the Icelandic language and literature, to the compiling of dictionaries, and to editing and elucidating Old-Icelandic texts. Some of the most prominent among these are Magniis Olafsson, Gudmundur Andrésson, Hilfddn Einarsson, Bjérn Halldérsson, Sveinbjérn Egils- son, Finnur Magnisson, Konr4d Gislason, rector Jén Thorkelsson, Gudbrandur Vigfisson, Bjérn M. Olsen, Finnur Jénsson, Sigfis Bléndal, Halldér Hermannsson. SigurBur Nordal. Alexander Téhann- esson, Much has been written on Icelandic laws, ancient and modern, and something also on medical science. A great deal of Theological litera- ture, for the most part translations, dates from the Reformation period. Icelandic translations of the New Testament and the Bible were prin- ted in 1540 and 1584 respectively. Of the many books of sermons which in course of time have appeared in Iceland, mention should be made of bishop Jén Vidalin’s Hiispostilla (Book of Family Ser- mons), first published 1718—20 (13th edition in 1838). Bishop Vidalin is the greatest pulpit orator Iceland has ever produced. His language is rich and racy and his sermons distinguished by religious fervor, eloquence, and profound observations of life. In the field of Natural science Eggert Olafsson did great research work, the most imporfant results of which are contained in his Travel- Book (Itinerary) in two large 4to volumes, published in Copenhagen in 1772. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the geology of Ice- land has been made the subject of scientific study by Jénas Hallgrims- son, Th. Thoroddsen, H. Pjeturss, and Gudmundur Béirdarson. The study of the botany of Iceland has been pursued by Stefin Stefénsson and Helgi Jénsson. In zoology Bjarni Semundsson has made inde-

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