biography
pronunciation:
[seegoordson]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1811–79)
|
| biography:
| Scholar and statesman, born in Hrafnseyri, NW Iceland. He studied at the University of Copenhagen, became archivist of the Royal Norse Archaeological Society (1847–65), and edited several historical works. The leader of the movement to secure political autonomy and freedom of trade from Denmark, he took part in discussions that led to Christian IX (reigned 1863–1906) restoring the ancient Althing (parliament) as a consultative assembly, and later became its speaker. When full independence was finally achieved in 1944, his birthday was chosen as Iceland's National Day. |
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