Jón Árnason

Jón Árnason (1819–1888) was an Icelandic scholar and collector of Icelandic folklore, stories, and historical tales. He played a key role in preserving Iceland's cultural heritage by gathering and publishing traditional legends, myths, and sagas. His work contributed significantly to Icelandic national identity and the study of Nordic mythology. Árnason’s most notable publication is "Íslenzkar þjóðsögur og æfintýri" (Icelandic Folktales and Fairy Tales), which remains a foundational resource for understanding Iceland’s rich oral traditions. His efforts helped ensure that Icelandic stories and cultural history would be remembered and studied by future generations.