Benediktsson , Einar , 1864-1940 , Icelandic poet

Born in Ellidhavatn, Iceland, 1864; son of a leader of the Icelandic independence movement; received a law degree at Copenhagen, 1892; briefly edited a newspaper, Dagskrá, advocating the cause of Icelandic independence, 1896-1898; spent much of his life abroad, raising capital to develop Icelandic industries; published five volumes of Symbolist verse, which reflected his patriotism, mysticism, love of nature, and the influence of his extensive travels; died at Herdísarvík, 1940. Publications: Sögur og kvaedi (1897; 'Stories and Poems'); Hafblik (1906; 'Smooth Seas'); Hrannir (1913; 'Waves'); Vogar (1921; 'Billows'); Hvammar (1930; 'Grass Hollows'); translated Ibsen's Peer Gynt into Icelandic; a selection of his poems was translated into English as Harp of the North by Frederic T Wood (1955).