Jónas Hallgrímsson

Jónas Hallgrímsson was an Icelandic poet, writer and naturalist. He was one of the founders of the Icelandic journal Fjölnir, which was first published in Copenhagen in 1835. The magazine was used by Jónas and his fellow Fjölnismenn to promote Icelandic nationalism, in the hope of giving impetus to the Icelandic Independence Movement. Jónas remains one of Iceland's most beloved poets, penning some of the best-known Icelandic poems about Iceland and its people. Since 1996, Jónas's birthday has been officially recognised in Iceland as the Day of the Icelandic Language. On 16 November each year, the Jónas Hallgrímsson Award is awarded to an individual for their outstanding contribution to the Icelandic Language.

16 November 1807

Born on the same birth day (16 November): Amar'e Stoudemire • C. J. Beathard • Caitlin Glass • Chinua Achebe • Daws Butler • Gene Amdahl • Gigi Edgley • Logan Mader • Luigi Facta • Magdi Yacoub • Noah Gray-Cabey • Oksana Baiul • Robert Nozick