This is a list of women writers who were born in

Iceland Iceland ( is, Ísland; ) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Arctic Ocean. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland's capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which (along with its s ...

or whose writings are closely associated with that country.

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* Anna Mjöll Ólafsdóttir, jazz songwriter * Anna Svanhildur Björnsdóttir, poet *

Arndís Þórarinsdóttir Arndís Þórarinsdóttir (born 1982) is an Icelandic children's author. Biography Arndís studied at the Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík, took a BA in literature at the University of Iceland, and an MA in creative writing at Goldsmiths, University ...

, children's books author *

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir (born 1958) is an Icelandic professor of art history, a novelist, playwright and poet. She received the Nordic Council Literature Prize for ''Hotel Silence'' in 2018 and the Médicis Foreign Award for ''Miss Iceland'' in ...

(born 1958), novelist, poet *

Auður Jónsdóttir Auður Jónsdóttir (born 30 March 1973) is an Icelandic author. Her novels deal with family, particularly mother-daughter relationships. Career Auður's debut novel, ''Bliss'' (Stjórnlaus Lukka), was nominated for the Icelandic Literary ...

(born 1973), novelist, playwright, journalist *

Auður Laxness Auður Sveinsdóttir Laxness (20 July 1918 – 29 October 2012) was an Icelandic writer and craftswoman, credited with influencing the design and popularity of the Icelandic Lopapeysa sweater during the mid-20th century. Her husband was Icelandic ...

, writer and wife of Halldór Laxness

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* Álfrún Gunnlaugsdóttir (born 1938), novelist * Áslaug Jónsdóttir, children's book author * Ágústína Jónsdóttir (born 1949), poet

B

* Bergljót Arnalds, children's book author *

Bergþóra Árnadóttir Bergþóra Árnadóttir (15 February 1948 – 8 March 2007) was an Icelandic folk song composer and singer. Many of her songs were built around the lyrics of Icelandic poets. In the mid 1970s, she hosted and performed in one of Icelandic TVs firs ...

, folk song writer *

Birgitta Jónsdóttir Birgitta Jónsdóttir (born 17 April 1967) is an Icelandic politician, anarchist, poet, and activist. She was a Member of the Althing (MP) for the Southwest Constituency from 2013 to 2017, representing the Pirate Party, having been elected at th ...

(born 1967), politician, poet, editor *

Björk Björk Guðmundsdóttir ( , ; born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk, is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Noted for her distinct three-octave vocal range and eccentric persona, she has de ...

, songwriter * Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir (born 1982), novelist * Brynhildur Þórarinsdóttir (born 1970), children's writer

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* Drífa Viðar (1920–1971), writer, artist and educator

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* Elín Briem (1856–1937), teacher, cookbook writer *

Elín Ebba Gunnarsdóttir Elín Ebba Gunnarsdóttir is an Icelandic writer born in 1953. She is noted for her short fiction. Her publications include ''Sumar sögur : smásögur'' (''Some Stories'', , 1997: ) and ''Ysta brún : smásögur'' (''On The Edge'', Vaka-Helgafe ...

(born 1953), short story writer *

Elísabet Jökulsdóttir Elísabet Kristín Jökulsdóttir is an Icelandic author and journalist born in Reykjavík on 16 April 1958. She lived in Greece for a year in her youth and had a variety of jobs before writing. Her first book of poems came out in 1989. She has w ...

(born 1958), poet, short story writer, playwright, journalist *

Elsa G. Vilmundardóttir Elsa Guðbjörg Vilmundardóttir (27 November 1932 - 2008) was the first Icelandic woman to complete a degree in geology and was the country's first female geologist. But she did much more outside of the field of geology, and was very involved i ...

(1932–2008), Iceland's first female geologist * Erla Stefánsdóttir (1935–2015), writes on elf habitats in Iceland

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* Fríða Á. Sigurðardóttir (1940–2010), novelist, short story writer

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Gerður Kristný Gerður Kristný (born 1970) is an Icelandic writer who is best known for her poetry and books for children. Early life Gerður Kristný was born on 10 June 1970 and brought up in Reykjavík. She graduated in French and comparative literature fro ...

(born 1970), poet, short story writer, novelist, children's writer *

Guðný Halldórsdóttir Guðný Halldórsdóttir (born 23 January 1954) is an Icelandic film director and screenwriter. She has directed eight films since 1984, including ''Under the Glacier'' and ''The Honour of the House''. She wrote the screenplay for 1986 comedy ' ...

(born 1954), film director, screenwriter *

Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir is an Icelandic writer born on 17 March 1976. She studied philosophy at the University of Iceland. Her first novel and collection came out in 1998 to acclaim. She has written five novels since then. In 2000, her n ...

(born 1976), acclaimed novelist * Guðrún frá Lundi (1887–1975), novelist *

Guðrún Helgadóttir Guðrún Helgadóttir (7 September 1935 – 23 March 2022) was a prominent writer of children's literature in Iceland. She was born in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. Her first book, ''Jón Oddur og Jón Bjarni'', appeared in 1974 when she worked at t ...

(born 1935), children's writer, playwright *

Guðrún Kristín Magnúsdóttir Guðrún Kristín Magnúsdóttir (born 27 September 1939 in Reykjavík) is an Icelandic author and artist. She has received a number of awards as an artist and author of more than 130 books, including children's books, books on nature, and the � ...

(born 1939), author *

Guðrún Lárusdóttir Guðrún Lárusdóttir (8 January 1880 – 20 August 1938) was an Icelandic politician, writer and translator. She most notably served two terms as a member of the Althing, the national parliament of Iceland. Biography Guðrún was born in Valþ ...

(1880–1938), writer

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Hallfríður Ólafsdóttir Hallfríður Ólafsdóttir (12 July 1964 – 4 September 2020) was an Icelandic flautist, music pedagogue and writer. She did chamber music for the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, conducted orchestra with several symphony orchestras and was a flute ...

(1964–2020), children's author * Hallgerður Gísladóttir (1952 – 2007), ethnologist, writings on Icelandic food, poet * Hallgerður Gísladóttir (1952 – 2007), poet *

Helgi Pjeturss Helgi Pjeturss (31 March 1872 – 28 January 1949) was an Icelandic geologist, philosopher, and spiritualist. In 1905 he became the first Icelander to graduate with a PhD in geology. He conducted extensive research on the geology of Iceland from 1 ...

(1872 – 1949), scientific writer * Hera Hjartardóttir (born 1983), songwriter * Hulda, pen name of Unnur Benediktsdóttir Bjarklind, poet, short story writer, novelist

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* Íeda Jónasdóttir Herman (c. 1918–2019), author and adventurer * Ingibjörg Haraldsdóttir (1942–2016), poet, translator

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Jónína Leósdóttir Jónína Leósdóttir (born 16 May 1954) is an Icelandic novelist, playwright, former journalist and Spouse of the Prime Minister of Iceland from 2008 until 2013. She is the author of a dozen plays, eleven novels, two biographies and a collect ...

(born 1954), novelist, playwright, journalist *

Jórunn skáldmær Jórunn skáldmær ("poet-maiden") was a Norwegian skald active in the first half of the 10th century. Only two stanzas and three half-stanzas of her ''Sendibítr'' ("Biting message") were preserved, mostly in Snorri Sturluson's works, such as '' ...

10th century skald * Jófríður Ákadóttir (born 1994) songwriter * Jakobína Sigurðardóttir

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Kristín Eiríksdóttir Kristín Eiríksdóttir (born 1981) is an Icelandic poet and author. Eiríksdótter's debut novel, ''Kjötbærinn'' (''Meat Town'') was published in 2004. This was followed by ''Húðlit auðnin'' (''Skin-coloured Wasteland'') in 2006 and ''Annars ...

(born 1981), poet and writer * Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir (born 1963), children's writer, journalist *

Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir is an Icelandic writer born on 21 January 1949 in Hafnarfjörður. Background She received her degree in 1991 from the University of Iceland in the fields of German and Icelandic. Writing Her first novel ''T ...

(born 1949), novelist, playwright *

Kristín Ómarsdóttir Kristín Ómarsdóttir (born 1962) is an List of Icelandic authors, Icelandic author, poet and playwright. Biography Kristín Ómarsdóttir was born in Reykjavík; she spent her first years in Copenhagen and lived for most of her childhood ...

(born 1962), poet, playwright, novelist * Kristín Steinsdóttir (born 1946), children's writer, playwright

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Lilja Sigurdardottir Lilja Sigurðardóttir was born in 1972 in the town of Akranes, Iceland. She is an Icelandic writer of crime fiction, a playwright and a scriptwriter. She was raised in Mexico, Sweden, Spain and Iceland. She became a student at MH secondary schoo ...

(born 1972), crime-fiction novelist, playwright, screenwriter * Linda Vilhjálmsdóttir (born 1958), poet, playwright

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María Lilja Þrastardóttir María Lilja Þrastardóttir Kemp (born 1 September 1986) Is an Icelandic politician, student lawyer, journalist, author and activist. Maria founded “Slut Walk” in Iceland – a movement against sexual violence. “Slut Walk” has since 201 ...

(born 1986) author

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* Nína Björk Árnadóttir (1941–2000), playwright, poet, novelist *

Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir (born 6 May 1989) is an Icelandic musician. Nanna originally performed solo, performing by the name Songbird. She is the lead vocalist and guitarist, along with Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson, of the Icelandic indie ...

songwriter

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Oddný Eir Oddný Eir Ævarsdóttir (born 1972) is an Icelandic writer. She has written three autobiographical novels, her best-known work being ''Jarðnæði'' (''Land of love; plan of ruins'') which was nominated for the Icelandic Literary Award in 2011 ...

(born 1972), autobiographical novelist, publisher

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Ólína Þorvarðardóttir Ólína Kjerúlf Þorvarðardóttir (born 8 September 1958) was a member of the Althing, representing the Social Democratic Alliance for the Northwest Constituency from 2009 to 2016. Life and career Ólína has been an active scholar in social Sc ...

(born 1958), politician, journalist, non-fiction writer

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* Ragna Sigurðardóttir (born 1962), short story writer, poet, translator * Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir (born 1953), children's writer, novelist *

Rósa Guðmundsdóttir Rósa Guðmundsdóttir (1795–1855), was an Icelandic poet. She belonged to the most known poets in Iceland of her time and is the author of many well known folk songs and poems in Icelandic. Björk performed Guðmundsdóttir's song ''Vísur Va ...

(1795–1855), poet, writer of ballads and folk tales

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* Steinunn Finnsdóttir (c.1640 – c.1710), poet *

Steinunn Refsdóttir Steinunn Refsdóttir was an Icelandic skald active at the end of the 10th century. Two verses by her are preserved, in which she taunts the missionary Þangbrandr. The daughter of Refr ''hinn mikill'' ("the Great") and Finna, Steinunn was both des ...

(10th century), pre-Christian poet * Steinunn Sigurðardóttir (born 1950), poet, novelist, journalist *

Svava Jakobsdóttir Svava Jakobsdóttir (4 October 1930 – 21 February 2004) was one of Iceland's prominent 20th century authors and feminist politicians. Her writing was characterized by "a unique brand of surreal feminism." Her father ''(Hans) Jakob Jónsson''Tor ...

(1930–2004), feminist politician, leading novelist, short story writer, poet, playwright *

Sigrún Davíðsdóttir Sigrún Davíðsdóttir (born 1955) is an Icelandic journalist and writer. She became the London correspondent for the Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV in 2000 and has been nominated as RÚV's Reporter of the Year.Mitzi M. Brunsdale, ''Encyclop ...

(born 1955), Journalist * Sigrún Edda Björnsdóttir (born 1958), author * Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir (born 1973), poet * Sigurlaug Gísladóttir (born 1984), songwriter *

Sóley Stefánsdóttir Sóley Stefánsdóttir (born 20 October 1987), better known simply as Sóley, is an Icelandic multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. Career Sóley studied classical and jazz style piano as a child and later went to the Icelandic Art A ...

(born 1986), songwriter * Steinvör Sighvatsdóttir (1210–1271), poet * Svala Björgvinsdóttir (born 1977), songwriter

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Þórdís Gísladóttir Þórdís Gísladóttir, also Thordis Gisladottir, (born 14 July 1965) is an Icelanders, Icelandic children's book author, poet, novelist and a translator. She is known for her children's stories about Randalin and Mundi and her poetry has also ...

(born 1965), children's writer, poet, translator * Þórunn Elfa Magnúsdóttir (1910–1995), novelist *

Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir Þórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (born 6 May 1987 in Akranes) is an Icelandic politician, human rights lawyer and journalist, who represents the Pirate Party. She has a Master of Laws from the University of Utrecht in international human rights a ...

(born 1987), journalist *

Torfhildur Þorsteinsdóttir Torfhildur Þorsteinsdóttir, also known as Torfhildur Hólm (2 February 1845 – 14 November 1918) was an Icelandic author who lived for many years in Canada. She was perhaps the first Icelander to make a living as an author, and is frequen ...

(1845–1918), first Icelandic woman novelist, short story writer, writer of folk tales

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* Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir (born 1989), author *

Vigdís Grímsdóttir Vigdís Grímsdóttir (born 15 August 1953) is an Icelandic writer. Early life and education Born on 15 August 1953 in Reykjavík, she qualified as a teacher in 1973, then gained her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Iceland in 1978, and a f ...

(born 1953), poet, short story writer, novelist, children's writer * Vilborg Dagbjartsdóttir (1930–2021), modernist poet, feminist, children's writer, translator * Vilborg Davíðsdóttir (born 1965), novelist, journalist

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Yrsa Sigurðardóttir Vilborg Yrsa Sigurðardóttir (born in 1963) is an Icelandic people, Icelandic writer of both Crime fiction, crime novels and Children's literature, children's fiction. She has been writing since 1998. Her début crime novel was translated into ...

(born 1963), internationally successful crime-fiction novelist, children's writer * Yvonne K. Fulbright, Icelandic-American sexologist, writings on sex and sex education since 2003

References

External links

Icelandic women writers
from ''The History of Nordic Women's Literature'' {{Lists of women writers by nationality - Icelandic women writers, List of Writers, List of Icelandic Women writers, List of Icelandic

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