Þórarinn Eldjárn

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Þórarinn Eldjárn is an Icelandic writer born in 1949. He studied at the University of Lund and the University of Iceland. He has written numerous poems, stories, and novels. He has also translated numerous books into Icelandic, including Alice in Wonderland. In addition, he has produced a number of children's poetry books, seemingly somewhat inspired by the works of Dr. Seuss, with illustrations by his sister.

His best known work internationally is the novel Brotahöfuð ("The Blue Tower"), which was nominated for an IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2001. Locally he is well known and respected for his short stories (most often offering humorous social satire), and his equally humorous and witty poetry, such as his "Disney Rhymes" (1974) - The Walt Disney Story presented as an epic tale in the rímur fashion.

He is a long time friend of former Prime Minister Davíð Oddsson, arguably Iceland's most powerful and influential politician in the late 20th century. They met in high school during the late 1960s, and worked together on a popular (and sometimes controversial) radio comedy program. Although sometimes publicly supporting Davíð as a "character witness" in campaign advertisements, and mildly satirizing left-wing politics in his writings, Þórarinn has never directly involved himself in politics.

His father was Kristján Eldjárn, third President of Iceland (1968-1980). He has three sons: Úlfur Eldjárn, Ari Eldjárn and Halldór Eldjárn.