Sveinn Björnsson

Sveinn Björnsson ( born January 27, 1881 in Copenhagen, † January 25, 1952 in Reykjavík ) was the first President of the Republic of Iceland.

Life

Sveinn was elected in 1912 in the City Council of Reykjavík. After a short time as an MP in Iceland's Parliament, the Althing, Iceland and independence from Denmark ( 1918), he was appointed as a minister in the government.

Denmark in 1940 was occupied by German troops and Iceland completely autonomous. Denmark had kept previously under federal contract, the responsibility for Iceland's foreign policy. After Sveinn in the military occupation of Great Britain Iceland had returned since 10 May 1940 he was elected to the Icelandic Empire ruler. In this role, he took over the rights and obligations that had previously occupied the Danish king. To be seen as Iceland in 1944 without prior negotiations with Denmark became a republic with the consent of the British and American occupation forces, the Althing chose Sveinn president. He was re-elected in 1945 and 1949 unopposed.

Sveinn Björnsson died in office on January 25, 1952 in Reykjavík.

Sveinn Björnsson | Ásgeir Ásgeirsson | Kristján Eldjárn | Vigdís Finnbogadóttir | Ólafur Ragnar Grimsson

• President ( Iceland )
• Member of the Althing
• Support of the Falcon ( Grand Cross )
• Icelander
• Born in 1881
• Died in 1952
• Man