Sveinn Björnsson
| Sveinn Björnsson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 1st President of Iceland | |
|
In office 17 June 1944 – 25 January 1952 |
|
| Prime Minister |
Björn Þórðarson Ólafur Thors Stefán Jóhann Stefánsson Steingrímur Steinþórsson |
| Preceded by | Christian X (as the King of Iceland) |
| Succeeded by | Ásgeir Ásgeirsson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
27 February 1881 Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Died | 25 January 1952 (aged 70) Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Spouse(s) | Georgia Björnsson |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | University of Copenhagen |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Sveinn Björnsson (pronounced [ˈsveitn̥ ˈpjœsːɔn]; 27 February 1881 – 25 January 1952) was the first President of the Republic of Iceland (1944–1952).
Sveinn was born in Copenhagen, Denmark as the son of Björn Jónsson (editor and later minister) and Elísabet Sveinsdóttir. Sveinn graduated from the Latin School in Reykjavík in 1900 and obtained a law degree from the University of Copenhagen 1907. He was licensed to practice before the "upper courts" in 1907 and before the Superior Court in 1920, and served as public prosecutor in Reykjavík 1907–20 and 1924–26. From September 29, 1919 to December 31 the same year, he served as prosecutor at the National Upper Court.
Sveinn was a member of the Reykjavík City Council 1912–1920 and its chairman 1918–1920. He was elected to the Althing for Reykjavík 1914-15 and 1919-20. After Iceland's independence from Denmark in 1918 he acted as minister to Denmark during 1920–24 and 1926–40.
Although Iceland had become a sovereign state in 1918, its foreign affairs had been conducted by Denmark until the beginning of World War II. The German occupation of Denmark in April 1940, however, resulted in Iceland's de facto autonomy and Sveinn was elected Regent of Iceland three times during 1941–43, assuming all the prerogatives in Icelandic affairs previously held by the Icelandic king, Christian X, who was also King of and resided in Nazi occupied Denmark. In July 1941, United States troops entered Iceland on the invitation of Sveinn's government and remained, in reduced numbers, after the war; their continued presence provoked the main controversy of the nation's postwar foreign policy.
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