MAGNUSSEN, FINN, a distinguished scholar and archteologist, was b. in 1781 at Skabliolt, in Iceland, where his family, both on his mother's and father's side, had for many generations been distinguished for learning and integrity. In 1797 Magnussen entered the university of Copenhagen with a view of studying for the law; and although he so far fullfilled the original intention of his education as to practice this profession for some years in Iceland, his strong bent towards archwological pursuits led him, in 1812, to return to Copenhagen, where he devoted himself with much zeal to his favorite studies, under the direction of his distinguished countrymen, Thorkelin and Thorlacius. In 1815 he obtained a chair of literature in the university; and in 1819, at the solicitation ef the academy of fine arts, he gave a course of lectures on ancient northern literature and mythology. From this. or even an earlier period, to the close of his life, Magnussen devoted himself to the elucidation of these subjects with a success that was generally commensurate with the great ability and acute learning which he brought to bear upon it, although in some few instances his zeal led him to adopt too hasty conclusions. Among his earliest and most noteworthy works are his papers on the aboriginal home and earliest migrations of the Caucasian races (1818); his contributions to northern archmology (1820); the indices, glossaries, and lexicon which he compiled for the eluci dation of the 2d and 3i1 of the Arne-Magnussen editions of the Eddas (1818 and 1828); his comprehensive translation of the Elder Edda (Aldre Edda, oversat og forklaret, Kopen.
1824); and his exposition of the same work (Edda laren og dens Opfindelse, Kop. 1824). Among his later works, his Runamo og Runerne (Kop. 1841) has given rise to much angry discussion ; and although many of his interpretations of assumed runes have been proved to be utterly untenable, the learning and acumen which lie brought to bear on the subject of runes generally, have thrown great light on this branch of archmology, both in regard to North American and ancient northern remains. In conjunction with Rafn, Magnussen elucidated the history and antiquities of Greenland in an able work (Gronland's Ilistoriske Mindesmerker, Kop. 1838-4.2); and he subsequently prosecuted a similar course of inquiry in regard to Russia in Antiguites Russes (Cop. 1850-52). In addition to these works, Magnussen annotated nearly all the most important remains of old northern literature, as the Heimskringla, Hakonarmal, La.vdala-Saga, etc.; and besides numerous monographs on arcnological and historic subjects of interest, made many valuable contributions te current Icelandic literature. During his latter years, Magnussen sat in the Danish land.thing as deputy for Iceland and the Faroe isles, in which capacity he gave evidence of considerable political knowledge ana patriotic zeal. At his death, in 1847, he held the office of Geheimarchivar in the royal chamber of archives.