Jóhannes Jóhannesson

Icelandic politician (1866 - 1950)

Jóhannes Jóhannesson


Speaker of the Althing
In office 1918–1921
Appointed by	Christian X of Denmark
Preceded by	Kristinn Daníelsson
Succeeded by	Sigurður Eggerz
In office 1924–1926
Appointed by	Christian X of Denmark
Preceded by	Magnús Kristjánsson
Succeeded by	Magnús Torfason

Personal details
Born	17 January 1866 Hjarðarholti, Stafholtstungum
Died	7 February 1950 Reykjavík
Resting place	Hólavallakirkjugarður
Nationality	Icelandic
Spouse	Jósefína Antonía Lárusdóttir Blöndal
Children	Lárus Jóhannesson
Alma mater	University of Copenhagen (Hafnarskóli)
Profession	Lawyer

Jóhannes Jóhannesson (17 January 1866 – 7 February 1950) was an Icelandic politician and speaker of Althing. He was a member of the Althing in 1900–1901, 1903–1913, and 1916–1931.^[1]

On 25 August 1907 Jóhannes inaugurated the first submarine cable between Iceland and Europe, and sent the first telegraph after minister Hannes Hafstein was delayed due to bad weather out at sea.^[2]

Between the years of 1897-1918 he served as county sheriff for Seyðisfjörður, and from 1918-1928 he served as county sheriff for the city of Reykjavík until the role was dissolved.

Jóhannes served as chairman for the Icelandic side of the committee on the act of the Union with Denmark,^[3] which secured the sovereignty of Iceland from Danish rule.

In 1920 he was appointed a member of the first committee of the Fálkaorða receiving the stórriddarakross for his role as county sheriff in 1921.

Photos

Sambandslaganefndin in front of Alþingishúsið in Reykjavík
Jóhannes (second to the left, bottom row) alongside other members of Alþingi in Copenhagen in 1906