An exhibition has been opened in the museum about the poet Steingrímur Thorsteinsson, who is currently 100 years old since his death. Steingrímur was born in Arnarstapi on Snæfellsnes Peninsula on May 19, 1831, and died on August 21, 1913. He can undoubtedly be counted among the so-called national poets. Steingrímur was a staunch supporter of Jón Sigurðsson in the national liberation struggle, and his poem "Vorhvöt" (Spring Motive) well shows his position in the storms of that conflict. Steingrímur was a prolific translator, and his translation of Þúsund og einn nótt is considered to keep his name in the highest regard. Steingrímur lived in Copenhagen for two decades, but moved to Iceland in 1872, where he became a teacher and later rector at the Lærði skólann in Reykjavík.
Steingrímur with his son Bjarni around 1872. Icelandic Photography Collection at the National Museum.
Painting by Sigurður the painter of Steingrímur. Icelandic Photography Museum at the National Museum.
Lydia Wilstrup, Steingrímur's first wife.
Steingrímur with his second wife, Birgitta Guðríður Eiríksdóttir, and their children Haraldur and Þórunn around 1900. Icelandic Photographic Collection at the National Museum.