Guðbrandur Þorláksson ( – 20 July 1627) was bishop of Hólar from 8 April 1571 until his death. He was the longest-serving bishop in Iceland and is known for printing the Guðbrandsbiblía, first complete Icelandic translation of the Bible.
Early life
Guðbrandur was the son of Þorláks Hallgrímssonar, a priest based at Melstaður in Miðfjörður, and Helga Jónsdóttir, the daughter of the lawyer . Guðbrandur studied at Hólar College from 1553 to 1559 and then went to the University of Copenhagen where he studied theology and logic. Guðbrandur was one of the first Icelanders to study in Denmark instead of in Germany. After returning to Iceland in 1564, he served as rector of the Skálholt School for three years before becoming a priest at historic Breiðabólstaður in Vesturhóp.
Bishop
In 1571, the Danish King Frederick II named Guðbrandur Bishop of Hólar on the recommendation of Poul Madsen, bishop of Zealand, who had been his teacher in Copenhagen. He wrote and translated many works himself, including hymns and The Bible. Thanks to his printing work, as well as his focus on ensuring accuracy in translation, Guðbrandur is credited with helping strengthen the Icelandic language.
Printing of the Guðbrandsbiblía, or "Guðbrandur's Bible," was completed in 1584. Portions included previous translations, including Oddur Gottskálksson's translation of the New Testament, along with new translations by Guðbrandur based on Latin, Germany, and Danish translations. The Guðbrandsbiblía was the basis for most Icelandic biblical translations until 1826.
Other works published by Guðbrandur include a translation of Niels Hemmingsen's Liffsens Vey ("Way of Life") in 1575, the first Icelandic hymnal in 1589, an Icelandic Gradual in 1594, and the Vísnabók, a collection of spiritual songs, in 1612. He also published several writings by Arngrímur Jónsson. He also worked to ensure descriptions of Iceland were presented accurately to the world.
Gallery of notable works
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Image:Gudbrandsbiblia.jpg|Guðbrandur published the first complete Icelandic translation of The Bible in 1584.
File:Guðbrandur's bible.jpg|Guðbrandsbiblía in National Museum of Iceland, in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Image:Island 1590 Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ortelius.jpg|One of his most important works: Map of Iceland
</gallery>
Personal life
Soon after becoming bishop, Guðbrandur had a child with Guðrún Gísladóttir. Their daughter, Steinunn Guðbrandsdóttir, married the farmer Skúli Einarsson, and one of Skúli and Steinunn's sons, Þorlákur Skúlason, succeeded Guðbrandur as bishop of Hólar. On 7 September 1572, Guðbrandur married Halldóra Árnadóttir (1547–1585), the daughter of Árni Gíslason, magistrate of Hlíðarendi, and Guðrún Sæmundsdóttir. Their children included Páll Guðbrandsson (1573–1621), Halldóra Guðbrandsdóttir (1574–1658), and Kristín Guðbrandsdóttir (1574–1652).
50 króna banknote
In 1981, the Central Bank of Iceland introduced a new series of banknotes with Guðbrandur on the front of the note and a fragment of the Guðbrandsbiblía and an image of early printers at work on the reverse. In 1987, the paper banknote was replaced with an coin.