Icelandic Literary Society
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The Icelandic Literary Society is a society dedicated to promoting and strengthening Icelandic language, literature and learning. It was founded in 1816 when the Icelandic independence movement was in its infancy.
Jón Sigurðsson, an Icelandic cultural hero, served as president of the society for decades.
In the last few decades, the society has been influential in publishing Icelandic translations of key non-Icelandic academic and literary works -- these books are known as Lærdómsrit hins íslenzka bókmenntafélags. The publication of these books was initiated by Þorsteinn Gylfason, who served as chief editor for over two decades.
The society publishes the magazine Skírnir.