Jón Sigurðsson

Jón Sigurðsson was an Icelandic scholar and politician and the leading figure in Iceland's 19th-century campaign for greater political rights and independence. He was born at Hrafnseyri in Arnarfjörður on 17 June 1811. As a young man Jón moved to Copenhagen, where he studied and worked as a scholar. His work included research into Icelandic manuscripts and historical documents, giving him extensive knowledge of Iceland's history, constitutional position and legal rights. He was elected to the Althing in 1845 and over the following decades became the leading advocate for greater Icelandic control over domestic affairs. Jón combined scholarship, publishing and political activity in his campaign for Icelandic rights. He became one of the central symbols of the Icelandic independence movement. His birthday, 17 June, was later chosen as Iceland's National Day. Jón Sigurðsson died in Copenhagen on 7 December 1879. His birthplace at Hrafnseyri is now a museum and memorial dedicated to his life and work.