Einar Benediktsson’s Collection

In 1935, Einar Benediktsson (1864-1940), poet and editor, donated to the University the farm Herdísarvík along with his library and furniture to commemorate his father. The books were not moved to the University Library until in March of 1950 and they were stored until they were transferred to the National Library Building. The collection consists mainly of books in history, as well as books in Greek and Latin, and books on classical literature. The books are almost entirely in foreign languages, the majority printed before 1850, many during the 17th and 18th centuries, and a few during the 16th century.