Jón Bjarnason Academy - 01.05.1936, Blaðsíða 26

his centenary which occurs this November will be the occasion
of a national celebration in Iceland; for like Bjornstjerne
Bjornson, Jochumsson was a man of the people deeply rooted
in the soil of his country, as thoroughly Icelandic as Bjornson
was Norwegian, and had devoted a long and fruitful life to the
moral and the spiritual elevation of his nation. Icelanders
abroad, not least on this continent, will also commemorate in
suitable fashion the centenary of their great poet, who not only
visited them, but on numerous occasions showed his profound
interest in them and their welfare, and dedicated to them one
of his most memorable poems.
Jochumsson’s life was eventful, rich in varied experiences;
hence his story makes captivating reading. He has himself told
it interestingly and effectively in a series of autobiographical
sketches, Sogukaflar cif sjalfum mer (Akureyri, 1922).2
He was born November 11, 1835, at the farm of Skogar in
BreiSifjorSur in western Iceland; he was the son of a farmer
of small means, but came of a splendid stock. He grew up in
impressive and historic surroundings, the scene of Gull-Poris
saga (Pors1c fir dinga saga), which have, as he himself empha-
sizes and his poetry amply testifies, left many marks on his
outlook upon life and his literary production. During his
earlier years he tried his hand at many things; he engaged in
farm work in the rural district where he grew up, was a fisher-
man, and for some years clerk in a village store. His literary
interest awakened early, and he read widely during these years
of varied activities. At the age of twenty-two he went to Copen-
hagen for the purpose of preparing himself to become a mer-
chant. His literary inclination directed him, however, into more
profitable channels culturally. He studied foreign languages;
and read with avidity and enthusiasm classical, Old Icelandic,
and contemporary European literature under the discriminating
and capable guidance of Steingrimur Thorsteinsson, destined to
become one of the leading Icelandic poets of the period and an
excellent scholar as well, for more than a quarter of a century
Rector of the College of Iceland at Reykjavik.3
After a very profitable year’s sojourn in Copenhagen,
Jochumsson returned to Iceland. With the assistance of friends
and relatives he began his formal education shortly thereafter,
and was graduated from the College of Iceland in 1863. He
2 For his life see also: Matthias Jochumsson (11. N6v. 1835—11. N6v.
1905). Reykjavik, 1905, pp. 9-54.
3 About his life and literary career see: Poestion, op. cit. and his study:
Steingrimur Thorsteinsson, ein islandischer Dicliter und Kulturhringer,
Munchen und Leipzig, 1912: GuSmundur Finnbogason, “Steingrimur Thor-
steinsson,” Skirnir, 1914, pp. 1-10; Haraldur Nielsson, Steingrimur Thor-
steinsson,” Andvari, 1914, pp. 1-16; porsteinn GIslason, “Steingrimur Thor-
steinsson (Aidarminning),” Leshok MorgunhlaSsins, 24. mal, 1931; and
Richard Beck, “pS’Singar Steingrtms Thorsteinssonar,” Visir, 17-23. mai,
1931.
24