Founded in 1816, the Icelandic Literary Society, known in Icelandic as Hið Íslenzka Bókmenntafélag, began at a time when the idea of Icelandic nationhood was just starting to take root. Its early purpose was clear: ensure the survival and flourishing of the Icelandic language and literature, and by extension, a sense of national honour and cultural advancement. This ambition reflected a pressing concern among Icelandic thinkers of the time that their ancient tongue could disappear within centuries.
The society quickly established two main branches: one in Copenhagen and one in Reykjavík. Rasmus Rask, a Danish linguist whose deep interest in Icelandic spurred much of the project, was elected president of the Copenhagen group. Árni Helgason, an influential figure in Iceland, led as the first president in Reykjavík. It was not until 1912 that the two branches united into a single organisation, further solidifying their mission.
This Society was more than an intellectual club. One of its earliest achievements was the 1817 publication of Icelandic sagas, beginning with Sturlunga saga and the story of bishop Árni Þorláksson, making historic literature available to a wider public. Through this commitment, the Society played an instrumental role in preserving the nation’s medieval narrative heritage.
Publishing ideas: from sagas to world philosophy
Beyond the sagas, the Society has contributed to Icelandic intellectual life through a steady programme of publishing. In 1827, it launched the magazine Skírnir, which is recognised as the oldest periodical in the Nordic countries and has fostered discussion of literature, scholarship and public affairs for generations.
Since 1970, a new phase of activity saw the Society publishing Icelandic translations of key academic and literary texts from outside Iceland, under the series Lærdómsrit hins íslenska bókmenntafélags. These releases gave Icelandic readers access to influential works of Western thought as well as translations of major literary texts from antiquity. This series has followed a rigorous standard: each translation is prepared by an expert and reviewed by peers, with detailed introductions and commentary, aiming to provide both depth and reliability.
Among titles in this series are works by writers such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Evelyn Fox Keller. Its hundredth volume featured a translation of Rainer Maria Rilke’s only novel. By 2023, the list of translated titles had grown to more than one hundred, representing a notable bridge between Icelandic society and world ideas.
An evolving community and cultural touchstone
Leadership of the Society over two centuries has included major figures in Icelandic and Danish public life. Jón Sigurðsson, remembered as a national hero and leading voice for Icelandic independence, served as president of the Society’s Copenhagen branch for nearly three decades. More recently, the position has been held by scholars active in Icelandic studies and academia.
The Society’s scale and influence were highlighted in 2016, when its bicentenary was marked by a special exhibition at the National Library. Today, Hið Íslenzka Bókmenntafélag remains a central institution in sustaining Icelandic cultural tradition, standing at the intersection of preservation, education and engagement with international ideas.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
