Saga - 1998, Side 232

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EINAR H. GUÐMUNDSSON
Þorsteinn Vilhjálmsson, Heimstnynd á hverfanda hveli II. Saga vísindafrá Brúnó til
Newtons (Reykjavík, 1987).
— „Raunvísindi á miðöldum", íslensk þjóömenning VII. Alþýðuvísindi. Ritstjóri
Frosti F. Jóhannsson (Reykjavík, 1990).
Þorvaldur Thoroddsen, Landfræðissaga lslands I—IV (Reykjavík og Kaupmanna-
höfn, 1892-1904).
— Ferðabók I (Kaupmannahöfn, 1913).
Summary
This article discusses the life and times of Gísli Einarsson (ca. 1621-88),
the first person to be appointed as a teacher of mathematics and astrono-
my in Iceland. After spending twelve years at the cathedral school in Skál-
holt, first as teacher and then as school master. Gísli Einarsson became a
parson at Helgafell where he served for twenty-seven years.
Before his appointment in Skálholt in 1649, Gísli Einarsson had studied
mathematics and astronomy for five years at the University of Copen-
hagen. At that time Icelandic students mainly studied theology and law,
equipping them for official positions back home in Iceland. Interest in
mathematics, astronomy and natural philosophy was, however, unusu-
ally high among learned men in Iceland in the middle of the 17th century.
The reasons for this are not clear but some of them may possibly be traced
to the influence of bishop Guðbrandur Þorláksson (ca. 1541-1627), a pro-
ponent of science. In addition, the fact that all university students had to
study the quadrivium, i.e. geometry, arithmetic, astronomy and music, is
probably highly relevant, as is the fact that the intellectual atmosphere at
the University of Copenhagen seems to have been particularly stimulat-
ing for the young Icelanders with an interest in science. This is e.g. refléct-
ed in a number of dissertations on astronomy and natural philosophy by
Icelandic authors, some of which were published in Copenhagen.
After returning to Iceland most university graduates became teachers,
priests or government officials of one kind or another. Such positions left
little time for further study or practice of the sciences. In a few cases, how-
ever, learned men are known to have measured the latitude of sites in
Iceland of significance and even tried to find the corresponding longitude,
a much more difficult task. Some even became cartographers and publis-
hed perpetual calendars. One of the most influential and learned men of
the mid-17th century, bishop Brynjólfur Sveinsson (1605-75), owned a
famous library which included a prime selection of books on astronomy,
mathematics and natural philosophy.
According to contemporary accounts, Gísli Einarsson had considerable