About
Guðni Jóhannesson, born 26 June 1968 in Reykjavík, is an Icelandic historian who served as the sixth President of Iceland from 2016 to 2024. He earned a PhD in history from Queen Mary University of London in 2003, with a thesis on the Cod Wars. Before his presidency, he was a professor of history at the University of Iceland. He is the author of several works, including 'The History of Iceland' (2013) and books in Icelandic on the 2008 banking collapse and Cold War surveillance. He also translated Stephen King novels into Icelandic. After his term, he returned to academia.
* 1968-06-26
Major works
- The History of Iceland (2013)history book
- Hrunið (2009)book
- Óvinir ríkisins (2006)book
- Gunnar Thoroddsen – Ævisaga (2010)biography
Key milestones
- 2016Elected President of Iceland with 39.1% of the vote.
- 2020Re-elected with 92.2% of the vote.
- 2024Leaves the presidency after two terms and returns to the University of Iceland.
Themes
History of IcelandCod Wars2008 financial collapseCold War and surveillanceLiterary translation
Sources: forseti.is · gudnith.hi.is