About the society
One of the oldest active societies in Iceland
1816
01
Founding policy
The Icelandic Literary Society was founded in 1816 and has been active without interruption ever since.
It took over the role of the Icelandic Society for the Learned Arts, founded in 1779, whose activity had lapsed around the time the Literary Society was established. The two societies were formally merged in 1818.
„Its founding policy was to restore independent learning and culture in Iceland under the leadership of Icelanders themselves.“
02
The society today
The society publishes scholarly and general works, the series Íslenzk fornrit and the journal Skírnir, which has appeared since 1827.
The society's bookshop is at Hagatorg in Reykjavík.
03
From the publications
Chapters from the history of Western culture and from the history of Iceland — a matching series from the society.
04
Board and staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Ármann Jakobsson | Chair |
| Björg Thorarensen | Vice-chair |
| Reynir Axelsson | Board member |
| Auður Hauksdóttir | Board member |
| Þorsteinn Hilmarsson | Board member |
| Snjólaug Ólafsdóttir | Board member |
| Salvör Nordal | Board member |
| Kristján Garðarsson | Librarian |
| Ólöf Dagný Óskarsdóttir | Managing director |
05
Membership
Members are subscribers to Skírnir — the journal of the Icelandic Literary Society — which appears twice a year, in spring and autumn. The annual fee is paid on publication of each issue, about 5,490 ISK, or about 10,980 ISK a year in total.
Members also receive a 20% discount on the price of the society's publications as listed in the price list; others receive a 10% discount.
06
Registration
Reg. no. 620169-7659 · VAT no. 10965