Matthías Jochumsson
Encyclopedia
Matthías Jochumsson was an Iceland
ic poet
, playwright
, and translator. He is best known for his lyrical poetry and for writing the national anthem
of Iceland, Lofsöngur
, in 1874. He was born in Skógar
into a poor family and traveled to the continent to further his education. Intending to become a business man, Matthías discovered his passion for languages and literature. He died in Akureyri
, where his house, Sigurhæðir, is now a museum, devoted to his life and work.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, and translator. He is best known for his lyrical poetry and for writing the national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of Iceland, Lofsöngur
Lofsöngur
"Lofsöngur" , also known as "Ó Guð vors lands" , is the national anthem of Iceland. The lyrics are by Matthías Jochumsson and the music by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson. The anthem contains three stanzas, but only the first one is commonly sung. The melody is by many considered difficult to sing, and...
, in 1874. He was born in Skógar
Skógar
Skógar , literally forests, is a small Icelandic village with a population of roughly 25 located at the south of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, in the municipality of Rangárþing eystra....
into a poor family and traveled to the continent to further his education. Intending to become a business man, Matthías discovered his passion for languages and literature. He died in Akureyri
Akureyri
Akureyri is a town in northern Iceland. It is Iceland's second largest urban area and fourth largest municipality ....
, where his house, Sigurhæðir, is now a museum, devoted to his life and work.