.lodern Icelandic literature begins with the introduction of printing ( t530) by the last Ho man Catholic Bishop of Iceland. The first Ice landic translation of the New Testament was made in 1510. During the seventeenth century many learned works were written, the leader in this movement being Arngrim .1(insson (I:5(1,3 )618). Nlany manuscripts were ViliketelI anal copied, and communication between Icelandic and Danish and Swedish seholars was close. Grammars and dictionaries were compiled, and many antiquarian works were published. Among the principal scholars of this period were Thor mod Torfams (1636-1719) and Arai Magnasson (q.v.). During this same period, and without interruption down to the present day. Iceland has produced a surprisingly large mindier of poets— I he largest number, indeed. in proportion to the population, of any country in Europe., Among these poets may be mentioned Ilallgrimur Vje tursson ( 11111-74). the leading Icelandic psalm writer: Stefan Olafsson (1(20-55) ; Eggert ()las son (17211-67 ) and Jon Thorlaksson (1744-1819). The latter made an excellent translation of Para dise Lost and Klopstock's ssias. Among nine teenth-•entury poets may be noted Itifirna Thtlra renson (17'0i-1541), who is probably the roost popular recent Icelandic poet ; situ' who introduced several foreign verse forms, notably the hexameter. (If the yommer poets we may mention Gestur Nilsson ( 1552-111) (thins Jochunisson ( I 835— ) . one
of the most productive Icelandic pouts and au thor of one of the few suecessful dramas; Thor steinn Erlingsson 11555-1: and Danny: Ile steinn t1S(1—). The principal leelandie novels are ,Irni Thordarson's Pittor ok Shako (The Boy and the Girl) and Moffitt).- ok Kona (Alan and Wife).
IttntioGaarnv. The standard history of Old Norse literature is Finnur Jiltisson's Den Old norske ott Oblislanske Litteraturs Historic (3 cols.. ('openhaoen. 18931900). The only treat ment of the whole subject in English is Winkel Horn. History of the Literature of the geandi narian North, translated by Anderson (Chicago, 1884). This contains a useful bibliography. The Prolegomena to Vigfusson's edition of the Slur lunga Saga (Oxford. 1878) discusses the classical literature, and the same author's Corpus Poeti cum Borcule ( ib., 1883) contains a complete col lection of the is clown to the thirteenth cen tury, with English translations, notes, etc. The value of this work is impaired by the arbitrary arrangement of many of the poems, especially those of the Older Edda. Extracts from the literature will be found in Vigfusson and Powell, Icelandic Prose Reader (London, ISGS ), and in other similar work,. Consult also the introduc tions to the translations of individual sagas in the Saga Library, edited by Morris and Magnus son (London. 1884).