Hannes Hafstein

Hannes Hafstein studied at University of Copenhagen. The recorded working language is Icelandic. Positions recorded include Prime Minister of Iceland and Minister for Iceland. Distinctions recorded are Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog, Decoration of the Cross of Honour of the Dannebrog, commander of the Order of the Dannebrog and Knight Grand Officer of the Order of the Dannebrog.

Hannes was born on the farm Möðruvellir in Hörgárdalur valley. His parents were Pétur Havstein (17 February 1812 – 24 June 1875) Governor of North and East Iceland and Kristjana Gunnarsdóttir Havstein (20 September 1836 – 24 February 1927) sister of Iceland's first bank chairman, Tryggvi Gunnarsson. He obtained the national grammar school leaving certificate (stúdentspróf) in 1880 and obtained a law degree (lower second class) from the University of Copenhagen in 1886. He was member of Alþingi in 1900–1901, 1903–1915 and 1916–1922, and attended his last meeting there in 1917. He was proposed the first Minister for Iceland on 31 January 1904 from 1 February 1904, and he served as such until 31 March 1909. Then he became the managing director of the Bank of Iceland. In 1912 he was elected speaker of Althingi, prior to becoming Minister for Iceland for the second time from 24 July 1912 to 21 July 1914, when he became managing director again. In 1917 his declining health forced him to resign his duties.Hannes Hafstein died in Reykjavík on 13 December 1922. In 1931 a statue of Hannes by sculptor Einar Jónsson was unveiled in Reykjavik. The roundels on his and his wife's graves were also by Einar Jónsson. As a poet, Hannes Hafstein wrote primarily in the national romantic tradition, often incorporating humorous or satirical elements. His poems were widely read and became well known among the Icelandic public.