List of Icelandic writers
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Iceland has a rich literary history, which has carried on into the modern period.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Some of the best known examples of Icelandic literature are the Sagas of Icelanders. These are prose narratives based on historical events that took place in Iceland and the surrounding areas during the Saga Age.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Most of these sagas were recorded during the 13th and 14th centuries, but the original authors and subsequent recorders of the works are unknown and thus not listed here. Although it has been suggested that Snorri Sturluson is the author of Egil's Saga.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Saga tradition is not limited only to Iceland, and is an integral part of Norse mythology throughout the Nordics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Another dominant form of Icelandic literature is poetry. Iceland has a rich history of poets, with many poets listed here. The early poetry of Iceland is Old Norse poetry, which is divided into the anonymous Eddic poetry,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and the Skaldic poetry attributed to a series of skalds, who were court poets who lived in the Viking Age and Middle Ages.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The modern Icelandic language is sufficiently similar to the Old Norse language for speakers of modern Icelandic to be able to understand Old Norse texts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later Icelandic poetry includes the Passion Hymns by Hallgrímur Pétursson, a collection of Christian religious poetry published in 1666.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Modern poets include Einar Benediktsson, a neo-Romantic poet who was an important figure in Iceland's nationalistic literary revival during the 19th century,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and 20th-century poets such as Tómas Guðmundsson and Davíð Stefánsson.
Halldór Laxness is the only Icelander to have been awarded the Nobel Prize.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955, he is recognized as one of Iceland's greatest literary figures. He wrote poetry, newspaper articles, plays, travelogues, short stories, and novels.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Icelandic authors have won the Nordic Council's Literature Prize nine times.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the modern period many Icelandic authors have been successful writing in languages other than Icelandic. Others have their work translated into other languages and are known internationally. The Detective Erlendur series by crime fiction author Arnaldur Indriðason is translated into at least 24 languages, including English.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Following is a list of notable Icelandic writers.Template:Efn This list includes authors of Icelandic literature, as well as writers in other literary disciplines; such as authors of fiction and non-fiction works, poets and skalds, playwrights, screenwriters, songwriters and composers, scholars, scribes, journalists,Template:Efn translators, and editors of newspapers and magazines. All the people listed here are or were Icelandic citizens, or writers with a strong connection to Iceland, for example by writing in the Icelandic language.Template:Efn People listed are from a wide range of time periods, ranging from the early Viking-age chroniclers, to modern day novelists. To help sort the writers by period, they are sorted according to the time period they lived. Although many more precise periods can be used, this list uses Contemporary for living writers, Modern for writers since the 16th century, and Medieval for the period from the 5th to the 15th century. In keeping with Icelandic naming conventions, the list is alphabetical by given name, as that is how Icelandic names are sorted. Template:Dynamic list Template:Horizontal TOC
A

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andri Snær Magnason | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Children's book author | The Story of the Blue Planet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Anna Mjöll Ólafsdóttir | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Jazz songwriter | Sjúbídú | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Anna Svanhildur Björnsdóttir | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Poet | Örugglega ég | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ari Jósefsson | Modern | 1939 | 1964 | Poet | Nei | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ari Trausti Guðmundsson | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Non-fiction author | Vegalínur | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ari Þorgilsson | Medieval | 1067 | 1148 | Medieval chronicler | Íslendingabók | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Arnaldur Indriðason | Contemporary | 1961 | Living | Crime fiction author | Detective Erlendur series | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Arndís Þórarinsdóttir | Contemporary | 1982 | Living | Children's books author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Arngrímr Brandsson | Medieval | 1325 | 1361 | 14th century author | Guðmundar saga D | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Arngrímur Jónsson | Medieval | 1568 | 1648 | 16th century scholar | Brevis commentarius de Islandia | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Arnórr Jarlaskáld | Medieval | 1012 | 1070 | Skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite ODNB</ref> | ||
| Arnthor Birgisson | Contemporary | 1976 | Living | Dance music songwriter | |||
| Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Novelist | Butterflies in November | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Auður Jónsdóttir | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Novelist | Secretaries to the Spirits | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Auður Laxness | Modern | 1918 | 2012 | Author | Melkorka | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Á
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Álfrún Gunnlaugsdóttir | Contemporary | 1938 | 2021 | Novelist | Þel | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ágústína Jónsdóttir | Contemporary | 1949 | Living | Poet | Að baki mánans | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Árni Bergmann | Contemporary | 1935 | Living | Novelist | Thorvald the Widely-Travelled | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Árni Böðvarsson | Modern | 1924 | 1992 | Dictionary editor | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Árni Lárentíusson | Medieval | 1304 | 1337 | Medieval prose writer | Dunstanus saga | ||
| Árni Þórarinsson | Contemporary | 1950 | Living | Crime writer and journalist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Áslaug Jónsdóttir | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Children's book author | Skrímsli í vanda | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
B
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldur Ragnarsson | Contemporary | 1930 | 2018 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Barði Jóhannsson | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Music writer | |||
| Bergljót Arnalds | Contemporary | 1968 | Living | Children's book author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Bergr Sokkason | Medieval | 1316 | 1350 | 14th century scholar | Micheals Saga | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Bergþóra Árnadóttir | Modern | 1948 | 2007 | Folk songwriter | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Bersi Skáldtorfuson | Medieval | 980 | 1030 | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Birgir Sigurðsson | Contemporary | 1937 | 2019 | Drama writer | |||
| Birgitta Jónsdóttir | Contemporary | 1967 | Living | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Birgitta Sif | Contemporary | 1981 | Living | Children's book author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Bjarki Karlsson | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Poet | Árleysi alda | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Bjarni Bjarnason | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Novelist | Endurkoma Maríu | ||
| Bjarni Harðarson | Contemporary | 1961 | Living | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Bjarni Thorarensen | Modern | 1786 | 1841 | Poet | <ref>Beck, Richard. "BJARNI THORARENSEN—ICELAND'S PIONEER ROMANTICIST." Scandinavian Studies and Notes, vol. 15, no. 3, 1938, pp. 71–80. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/40915447.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Björgvin Franz Gíslason | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Children's book author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Björk Guðmundsdóttir | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Songwriter | Debut, Post, "Homogenic", Vulnicura, Fossora | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| Björn Th. Björnsson | Modern | 1922 | 2007 | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Böðvar Guðmundsson | Contemporary | 1939 | Living | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Bogi Ágústsson | Contemporary | 1952 | Living | Journalist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Bragi Boddason | Medieval | 800 | 850 | 9th century poet | Ragnarsdrápa | ||
| Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir | Contemporary | 1982 | Living | Children's book author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Brynhildur Þórarinsdóttir | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Children's book author | |||
| Brynjar Leifsson | Contemporary | 1990 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Brynjólfur Pétursson | Modern | 1810 | 1851 | Magazine editor | Fjölnismenn | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
D
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davíð Oddsson | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Newspaper editor | Editor of Morgunblaðið | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Davíð Stefánsson | Modern | 1895 | 1964 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Drífa Viðar | Modern | 1920 | 1971 | Novelist | Fjalldalslilja | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
E
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggert Ólafsson | Modern | 1726 | 1768 | Poet | Reise igiennem Island | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Egill Helgason | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Journalist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Egill Skallagrímsson | Medieval | 904 | 995 | Viking-Age poet | Höfuðlausn | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Eilífr Goðrúnarson | Medieval | Template:HsUnknown | 10th-century skald | Þórsdrápa | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Eilífr kúlnasveinn | Medieval | Template:HsUnknown | 12th or 13th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Einar Benediktsson | Modern | 1864 | 1940 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Einar Bragi | Modern | 1921 | 2005 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Einar Hjörleifsson Kvaran | Modern | 1859 | 1938 | Newspaper editor, et al | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Einar Kárason | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Einar Már Guðmundson | Contemporary | 1954 | Living | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Einar Ragnarsson Kvaran | Modern | 1920 | 2012 | Genealogist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Einarr Gilsson | Medieval | Template:HsUnknown | 14th century poet | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |||
| Einarr Hafliðason | Medieval | 1307 | 1393 | 14th century chronicler | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | ||
| Einarr Helgason | Medieval | Template:HsUnknown | 10th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Einarr Skúlason | Medieval | 1100 | 1159 | 12th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Eiríkur Bergmann | Contemporary | 1969 | Living | Scholarly author & novelist | Samsærið | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Eiríkur Örn Norðdahl | Contemporary | 1978 | Living | Poet | llska | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Eiríkur Rögnvaldsson | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Scholarly author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Elín Briem | Modern | 1856 | 1937 | Cookbook author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Elín Ebba Gunnarsdóttir | Contemporary | 1953 | Living | Short fiction author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Elísabet Jökulsdóttir | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Journalist and poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Elsa G. Vilmundardóttir | Modern | 1932 | 2008 | Non-fiction author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Emil Thoroddsen | Modern | 1898 | 1944 | Songwriter | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Erla Stefánsdóttir | Contemporary | 1935 | 2015 | Seer | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Ernir Kristján Snorrason | Modern | 1944 | 2012 | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Eyjólfr Dáðaskáld | Medieval | Template:HsUnknown | Skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Eysteinn Ásgrímsson | Medieval | 1310 | 1360 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Eysteinn Björnsson | Contemporary | 1942 | Living | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Eysteinn Valdason | Medieval | Template:HsUnknown | 10th century skald | <ref>Skj info: Eysteinn Valdason, Islænder, omkr. 1000. (AI, 140, BI, 131)</ref> | |||
| Eyvindur P. Eiríksson | Contemporary | 1935 | Living | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
F

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fríða Ísberg | Contemporary |
1992 |
Living |
Novelist |
Merking | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Finnur Jónsson | Modern | 1858 | 1934 | Scholar | Historia Ecclesiastica Islandiæ | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Finnur Magnússon | Modern | 1781 | 1847 | Scholarly author | |||
| Fríða Á. Sigurðardóttir | Modern | 1940 | 2010 | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
G

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gamli Gnævaðarskáld | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | ||||
| Gerður Kristný | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Poet | |||
| Gísli Örn Garðarsson | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Screenwriter | |||
| Gísli Rúnar Jónsson | Contemporary | 1953 | 2020 | Screenwriter | |||
| Glúmr Geirason | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | ||||
| Gottskálk grimmi Nikulásson | Medieval | 1469 | 1520 | Author of Rauðskinna | |||
| Grímur Hákonarson | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Screenwriter | |||
| Grímur Thomsen | Modern | 1820 | 1896 | Poet | |||
| Guðbergur Bergsson | Contemporary | 1932 | 2023 | Author | |||
| Guðmundur Andri Thorsson | Contemporary | 1957 | Living | Novelist | |||
| Guðmundur G. Hagalín | Modern | 1898 | 1985 | Short story author | |||
| Guðmundur Kamban | Modern | 1888 | 1945 | Novelist | |||
| Guðmundur Steingrímsson | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | Template:Citation needed | |||
| Guðni Th. Jóhannesson | Contemporary | 1968 | Living | Non-fiction writer | |||
| Guðný Halldórsdóttir | Contemporary | 1954 | Living | Screenwriter | |||
| Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir | Contemporary | 1976 | Living | Novelist | |||
| Guðrún frá Lundi | Modern | 1887 | 1975 | Novelist | |||
| Guðrún Helgadóttir | Contemporary | 1935 | 2022 | Children's book author | |||
| Guðrún Kristín Magnúsdóttir | Contemporary | 1939 | Living | Author | |||
| Guðrún Lárusdóttir | Modern | 1880 | 1938 | Writer | |||
| Gunnar Gunnarsson | Modern | 1889 | 1975 | Novelist | |||
| Gunnlaugr Leifsson | Medieval | 1190 | 1218 | Poet | |||
| Gunnlaugr Ormstunga | Medieval | 983 | 1008 | Poet | |||
| Gyrðir Elíasson | Contemporary | 1961 | Living | Poet | |||
H

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halla Gunnarsdóttir | Contemporary | 1981 | Living | Journalist | |||
| Hallar-Steinn | Medieval | Unknown | 13th century poet | ||||
| Halldór Guðmundsson | Contemporary | 1956 | Living | Biographer | |||
| Halldór Laxness | Modern | 1902 | 1998 | Iceland's Nobel laureate | |||
| Halldóra K. Thoroddsen | Contemporary | 1950 | 2020 | Novelist | |||
| Halldórr skvaldri | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | ||||
| Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld | Medieval | 965 | 1007 | Skald | |||
| Hallgerður Gísladóttir | Modern | 1952 | 2007 | Poet | |||
| Hallgrímur Helgason | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Novelist | |||
| Hallgrímur Pétursson | Modern | 1614 | 1674 | Poet | |||
| Hannes Hafstein | Modern | 1861 | 1922 | Poet | |||
| Hannes Pétursson | Contemporary | 1931 | Living | Poet | |||
| Hannes Sigfússon | Modern | 1922 | 1997 | Poet | |||
| Haukr Erlendsson | Modern | 1265 | 1334 | Scholar | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Helgi Pjeturss | Modern | 1872 | 1949 | Scientific writer | |||
| Hera Hjartardóttir | Contemporary | 1983 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Hermann Pálsson | Modern | 1921 | 2002 | Scholar | |||
| Hermann Stefánsson | Contemporary | 1968 | Living | Author | |||
| Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson | Modern | 1958 | Living | Music writer | |||
| Hitesh Ceon | Contemporary | 1974 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Hjálmar Jónsson | Modern | 1796 | 1875 | Poet | |||
| Hrafnhildur Hagalín | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Playwright | |||
| Hulda | Modern | 1881 | 1946 | Poet | |||
I
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir | Contemporary | 1978 | Living | Screenwriter | Ástríður | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Indriði G. Þorsteinsson | Modern | 1926 | 2000 | Novelist | 79 af stöðinni | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir | Modern | 1942 | 2016 | Poet | Kona | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ingólfur Margeirsson | Modern | 1948 | 2011 | Newspaper editor | Lífsjátning | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Í
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Íeda Herman | Contemporary | 1925 | 2019 | Author | Viking Kids Don't Cry | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ísak Harðarson | Contemporary | 1956 | 2023 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
J

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jakobína Sigurðardóttir | Modern | 1918 | 1994 | Modernist writer | |||
| Jófríður Ákadóttir | Contemporary | 1994 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Jóhann Gunnar Sigurðsson | Modern | 1882 | 1906 | Poet | |||
| Jóhann Sigurjónsson | Modern | 1880 | 1919 | Poet | |||
| Jóhannes úr Kötlum | Modern | 1899 | 1972 | Poet | |||
| Jón Árnason | Modern | 1819 | 1888 | Folklorist | |||
| Jón Atli Jónasson | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | Playwright | |||
| Jón Helgason | Modern | 1899 | 1986 | Poet | |||
| Jón Hnefill Aðalsteinsson | Modern | 1927 | 2010 | Folklorist | |||
| Jón Kalman Stefánsson | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Novelist | |||
| Jón lærði Guðmundsson | Modern | 1574 | 1651 | Sorcerer and poet | |||
| Jón Leifs | Modern | 1899 | 1968 | Music writer | |||
| Jón Magnússon | Modern | 1610 | 1696 | Author of the Píslarsaga | |||
| Jón Oddsson Hjaltalín | Modern | 1749 | 1835 | Religious writer | |||
| Jón Ólafsson | Modern | 1850 | 1916 | Journalist | |||
| Jón ÓlafssonTemplate:Efn | Modern | 1594 | 1679 | Explorer and autobiographer | |||
| Jón Örn Loðmfjörð | Contemporary | 1983 | Living | Experimental poet | |||
| Jón Óskar | Modern | 1921 | 1998 | Poet | |||
| Jón frá Pálmholti | Modern | 1930 | 2004 | Poet | |||
| Jón Sveinsson | Modern | 1857 | 1944 | Children's book writer | |||
| Jón Thoroddsen elder | Modern | 1818 | 1868 | Poet and novelist | |||
| Jón Thoroddsen junior | Modern | 1898 | 1924 | Author | |||
| Jón Trausti Sigurðarson | Contemporary | 1982 | Living | Newspaper editor | |||
| Jón úr Vör | Modern | 1917 | 2000 | Poet | |||
| Jónas Hallgrímsson | Modern | 1807 | 1845 | Magazine editor | |||
| Jónas Kristjánsson | Modern | 1924 | 2014 | Novelist | |||
| Jónína Leósdóttir | Contemporary | 1954 | Living | Author | |||
| Jórunn skáldmær | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | ||||
K

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Jónsson | Medieval | 1135 | 1213 | Poet | |||
| Kolbeinn Tumason | Medieval | 1173 | 1207 | Poet | |||
| Konráð Gíslason | Modern | 1808 | 1891 | Grammarian | |||
| Kormákr Ögmundarson | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | ||||
| Kristín Eiríksdóttir | Contemporary | 1981 | Living | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Children's book writer | |||
| Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir | Contemporary | 1949 | Living | Novelist | |||
| Kristín Ómarsdóttir | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Author | |||
| Kristín Steinsdóttir | Contemporary | 1946 | Living | Children's book writer | |||
| Kristinn Ármannsson | Modern | 1895 | 1966 | Author of Latin Grammar | |||
| Kristinn Hrafnsson | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Investigative journalist | |||
| Kristján B. Jónasson | Contemporary | 1967 | Living | Biographer | |||
| Kristján Karlsson | Modern | 1922 | 2014 | Poet | |||
| Kristjan Niels Julius | Modern | 1860 | 1936 | Poet | |||
| Kristmann Guðmundsson | Modern | 1901 | 1983 | Novelist | |||
L
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lilja Sigurðardóttir | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | Crime fiction writer | Snare | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
M

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnús Eiríksson | Modern | 1806 | 1881 | Theologian | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Magnús Jónsson | Modern | 1530 | 1591 | Poet | |||
| Magnús Jónsson í Tjaldanesi | Modern | 1835 | 1922 | Scribe | <ref>Driscoll, Matthew J. The Value of Books: Magnús Í Tjaldanesi and the End of Manuscript Culture in Iceland. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria, 2007.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Magnús Kjartansson | Modern | 1919 | 1981 | Newspaper editor | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Magnus Magnusson | Modern | 1929 | 2007 | Journalist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Magnús Þór Jónsson | Contemporary | 1945 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| María Lilja Þrastardóttir | Contemporary | 1986 | Living | Author | |||
| Marta María Stephensen | Modern | 1770 | 1805 | Pioneering author | |||
| Matthías Jochumsson | Modern | 1835 | 1920 | Author of Lofsöngur | |||
| Mikael Torfason | Contemporary | 1974 | Living | Novelist | Syndafallið | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
N

| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir | Contemporary | 1989 | Living | Songwriter | Template:Citation needed | ||
| Nína Björk Árnadóttir | Modern | 1941 | 2000 | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
O
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oddný Eir | Contemporary | 1972 | Living | Autobiographer | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Oddr Snorrason | Medieval | Unknown | Medieval chronicler | The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Andersson, Theodore M. "The First Icelandic King's Saga: Oddr Snorrason's 'Óláfs Saga Tryggvasonar' or 'The Oldest Saga of Saint Olaf?"." The Journal of English and Germanic Philology, vol. 103, no. 2, 2004, pp. 139–155. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27712412.</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | ||
| Olvir Hnufa | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |||
Ó
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ófeigur Sigurðsson | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Óláfr Leggsson | Medieval | Unknown | 13th century skald | ||||
| Óláfr Þórðarson | Medieval | 1210 | 1259 | Skald | Third Grammatical Treatise | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ólafur Egilsson | Modern | 1564 | 1639 | Autobiographer | Reisubók séra Ólafs Egilssonar | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ólafur Gunnarsson | Contemporary | 1948 | Living | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Ólafur Haukur Símonarson | Contemporary | 1947 | Living | Playwright | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Ólafur Jóhann Sigurðsson | Contemporary | 1918 | 1988 | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Ólafur Jóhannesson | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Screenwriter | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Ólína Þorvarðardóttir | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Scholar | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Óskar Halldórsson | Modern | 1921 | 1983 | Scholar | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Óskar Jónasson | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Screenwriter | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Óttar M. Norðfjörð | Contemporary | 1980 | Living | Crime fiction writer | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Óttarr svarti | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
Ö
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Örn Árnason | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Screenwriter | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Örvar Þóreyjarson Smárason | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
P
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Páll Ólafsson | Modern | 1827 | 1905 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | ||
| Paul Oscar | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Songwriter | Minn hinsti dans | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Pétur Gunnarsson | Contemporary | 1947 | Living | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Pétur Þorsteinsson | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Dictionary editor | Pétrísk-Íslensk Orðabók | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
R
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ragna Sigurðardóttir | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Author | Borg (City) | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ragnar Jónasson | Contemporary | 1976 | Living | Crime writer | Dark Iceland series | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Ragnar Þórhallsson | Contemporary | 1987 | Living | Songwriter | Template:Citation needed | ||
| Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir | Contemporary | 1953 | Living | Children's author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Róbert Ingi Douglas | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Screenwriter | |||
| Rósa Guðmundsdóttir | Modern | 1795 | 1855 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Rúnar Rúnarsson | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Screenwriter | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
S
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sæmundr fróði | Medieval | 1056 | 1133 | 11th century scholar | |||
| Sigfús Daðason | Modern | 1928 | 1996 | Poet | |||
| Sighvatr Sturluson | Medieval | 1170 | 1238 | Poet | |||
| Sigrún Davíðsdóttir | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Journalist | |||
| Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir | Contemporary | 1958 | Living | Author | |||
| Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir | Contemporary | 1973 | Living | Poet | |||
| Sigurður Breiðfjörð | Modern | 1798 | 1846 | Poet | |||
| Sigurður Nordal | Modern | 1886 | 1974 | Scholar | |||
| Sigurður Pálsson | Modern | 1948 | 2017 | Poet | |||
| Sigurður Sigurjónsson | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Screenwriter | |||
| Sigurlaug Gísladóttir | Contemporary | 1984 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Sigurlaugur Elíasson | Contemporary | 1957 | Living | Poet | |||
| Sigvatr Þórðarson | Medieval | 995 | 1045 | Skald | |||
| Sindri Freysson | Contemporary | 1970 | Living | Novelist | |||
| Sindri Sindrason | Contemporary | Unknown | Journalist | ||||
| Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson | Contemporary | 1962 | Living | Poet | |||
| Skapti Þóroddsson | Medieval | ? | 1030 | Skald | |||
| Skúli Þórsteinsson | Medieval | Unknown | Poet | ||||
| Snorri Hergill Kristjánsson | Contemporary | 1974 | Living | Author | |||
| Snorri Hjartarson | Modern | 1906 | 1986 | Poet | |||
| Snorri Sturluson | Medieval | 1179 | 1241 | Poet | |||
| Sóley Stefánsdóttir | Contemporary | 1986 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Sólveig Anspach | Modern | 1960 | 2015 | Screenwriter | |||
| Sölvi Fannar | Contemporary | 1971 | Living | ||||
| Stefán Einarsson | Modern | 1897 | 1972 | Literary historian | |||
| Stefán frá Hvítadal | Modern | 1887 | 1933 | Poet | |||
| Stefán Hörður Grímsson | Modern | 1919 | 2002 | Poet | |||
| Stefán Jón Hafstein | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Author | |||
| Stefán Sigurðsson | Modern | 1887 | 1933 | Poet | |||
| Steinar Bragi | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Author | |||
| Steingrímur Thorsteinsson | Modern | 1831 | 1913 | Translator | |||
| Steinn Steinarr | Modern | 1908 | 1958 | Poet | |||
| Steinunn Finnsdóttir | Modern | 1640 | 1710 | Poet | |||
| Steinunn Refsdóttir | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | ||||
| Steinunn Sigurðardóttir | Contemporary | 1950 | Living | Novelist | |||
| Steinvör Sighvatsdóttir | Medieval | 1210 | 1271 | Poet | |||
| Stefán Guðmundur Guðmundsson | Modern | 1853 | 1927 | Poet | |||
| Sturla Þórðarson | Medieval | 1214 | 1284 | Skald | |||
| Svala Björgvinsdóttir | Contemporary | 1977 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Svava Jakobsdóttir | Modern | 1930 | 2004 | Author | |||
| Svavar Knútur Kristinsson | Medieval | Unknown | Songwriter | ||||
| Sveinbjörn Egilsson | Modern | 1791 | 1852 | Theologian | |||
T
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor Vilhjálmsson | Modern | 1925 | 2011 | Writer | |||
| Thorarinn Leifsson | Contemporary | 1966 | Living | Author | |||
| Thordis Elva | Contemporary | 1980 | Living | Autobiographer | |||
| Thormodus Torfæus | Modern | 1636 | 1719 | Historian | |||
| Tindr Hallkelsson | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | ||||
| Tómas Guðmundsson | Modern | 1901 | 1983 | Poet | |||
| Tómas Sæmundsson | Modern | 1807 | 1841 | Fjölnismenn | |||
| Tony Jonsson | Modern | 1921 | 2001 | Autobiographer | |||
| Torfhildur Þorsteinsdóttir | Modern | 1845 | 1918 | Iceland's first woman novelist | |||
| Tyrfingur Tyrfingsson | Contemporary | 1987 | Living | Playwright | |||
Þ
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Þjóðólfr Arnórsson | Medieval | 1010 | 1066 | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þór Whitehead | Contemporary | 1943 | Living | Historian | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þórarinn Eldjárn | Contemporary | 1949 | Living | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þórarinn loftunga | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Þórarinn Skeggjason | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Þórbergur Þórðarson | Modern | 1889 | 1974 | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þorbjörn dísarskáld | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |||
| Þórdís Gísladóttir | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Children's book author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þórðr Kolbeinsson | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Þórðr Sjáreksson | Medieval | Unknown | 11th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Þórður Helgason | Contemporary | 1947 | Living | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þorgils gjallandi | Modern | 1851 | 1915 | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þorgrímur Þráinsson | Contemporary | 1959 | Living | Writer | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir | Contemporary | 1987 | Living | Journalist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Þórir Jökull Steinfinnsson | Medieval | ? | 1238 | Skald | |||
| Þorleifr jarlsskáld | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | ||||
| Þorleifur Repp | Modern | 1794 | 1857 | Newspaper editor | |||
| Þorsteinn Erlingsson | Modern | 1858 | 1914 | Poet | |||
| Þorsteinn frá Hamri | Modern | 1938 | 2018 | Poet | |||
| Þorsteinn Gylfason | Modern | 1942 | 2005 | Philosopher | |||
| Þórunn Elfa Magnúsdóttir | Modern | 1910 | 1995 | Novelist | |||
| Þórunn Erna Clausen | Contemporary | 1975 | Living | Songwriter | |||
| Þórvaldr Hjaltason | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | ||||
| Þorvaldr veili | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | ||||
| Þráinn Bertelsson | Contemporary | 1944 | Living | Author | |||
U
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Úlfr Uggason | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | Húsdrápa | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Unnar Gísli Sigurmundsson | Contemporary | Unknown | Songwriter | Color Decay | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
V
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir | Contemporary | 1989 | Living | Author | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Vetrliði Sumarliðason | Medieval | Unknown | 10th century skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Vigdís Grímsdóttir | Contemporary | 1953 | Living | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Vigfúss Víga-Glúmsson | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| Viktor Arnar Ingólfsson | Contemporary | 1955 | Living | Crime fiction writer | Afturelding | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir | Contemporary | 1930 | 2021 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Vilborg Davíðsdóttir | Contemporary | 1965 | Living | Novelist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Vilmundur Gylfason | Modern | 1948 | 1983 | Poet | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| Völu-Steinn | Medieval | Unknown | Skald | ||||
Y
| Name | Gender | Period | Born | Died | Genre/Type | Notable work | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yrsa Sigurðardóttir | Contemporary | 1963 | Living | Crime fiction writer | Biobörn | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | |
| Yvonne K. Fulbright | Contemporary | Template:Hs? | Living | Sexologist | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
See also
- List of Icelandic women writers
- Icelandic literature
- Culture of Iceland
- Icelandic language
- Sagas of Icelanders
References
Footnotes
Citations
External links
- Icelandic language Wikisource
- The Writers' Union of Iceland official website
- In Iceland, a Literary Tour Explores Rich History
- Primary Documents
Template:Lists of writers by nationality Template:Icelandic language Template:Heathen Skalds