Ólafur Jóhannesson
Encyclopedia
Ólafur Jóhannesson (1 March 1913 – 20 May 1984) was the fifteenth Prime Minister
of Iceland
for the Progressive Party
on two occasions. He was a member of the Progressive Party
, serving as party chairman during the 1980s.
(matriculated 1935), and studied law at the University of Iceland
(graduated 1939, Hdl. 1942). Following postgraduate studies in Denmark
and Sweden
, he worked as a lawyer and accountant, before returning to academia, becoming a lecturer and serving as a Professor at the Law Institute 1947–78.
He served as Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Minister Ecclesastical Affairs 1971–74 and 1978–79; Minister for Justice, Minister Ecclesastical Affairs and Trade Secretary 1974–78; and Foreign Minister 1980–83.
Prime Minister of Iceland
The Prime Minister of Iceland is Iceland's head of government. The prime minister is appointed formally by the President and exercises executive authority along with the cabinet subject to parliamentary support....
of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
for the Progressive Party
Progressive Party (Iceland)
The Progressive Party is an agrarian, liberal and centrist party in Iceland. The party is a member of the Liberal International. Current chairman of the party is Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson. He was elected on January 18, 2009. His predecessor was Valgerður Sverrisdóttir, who only served as...
on two occasions. He was a member of the Progressive Party
Progressive Party (Iceland)
The Progressive Party is an agrarian, liberal and centrist party in Iceland. The party is a member of the Liberal International. Current chairman of the party is Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson. He was elected on January 18, 2009. His predecessor was Valgerður Sverrisdóttir, who only served as...
, serving as party chairman during the 1980s.
Career
Ólafur was educated at Akureyri Junior CollegeAkureyri Junior College
Akureyri Junior College is an Icelandic gymnasium . It is one of the oldest educational institutions in Iceland.It is located in Akureyri, "the Capital of the North", and traces its origin back to the school in Möðruvellir in the valley of Hörgárdalur, which was founded in 1880...
(matriculated 1935), and studied law at the University of Iceland
University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is a public research university in Reykjavík, Iceland, and the country's oldest and largest institution of higher education. Founded in 1911, it has grown steadily from a small civil servants' school to a modern comprehensive university, providing instruction for about...
(graduated 1939, Hdl. 1942). Following postgraduate studies in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, he worked as a lawyer and accountant, before returning to academia, becoming a lecturer and serving as a Professor at the Law Institute 1947–78.
He served as Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Minister Ecclesastical Affairs 1971–74 and 1978–79; Minister for Justice, Minister Ecclesastical Affairs and Trade Secretary 1974–78; and Foreign Minister 1980–83.