Jón Oddsson Hjaltalín


Jón Oddsson Hjaltalín was an Icelandic priest and writer. He composed verse and prose, and his writing was influenced by Icelandic tradition, Christian learning, and Enlightenment thought.

Biography

Jón graduated from Skálholtsskóli in 1776 and became a priest at Háls in Hamarsfjörður 7 April 1777. He then took up the ministry at Kálfafell on 12 July 1780, before proceeding to Hvammur in Norðurárdalur on 9 June 1783. Then, in 1786, he moved to Saurbær in Hvalfjarðarströnd 1786. He finished his career by taking up the ministry at Breiðabólstaður in Skógarströnd 1811, where he remained before retiring on 1 February 1835. During this time, he was also offered the position at Helgafell, but chose not to accept it.
Jón was noted for his achievements in many fields, and today is best known for his many songs, psalms, rímur and sagas.
The main biographical study of Jón is by Matthew James Driscoll.

Works

In Jón's own lifetime, his work circulated mostly in manuscript, and printed editions came only later.

Romances