Björn Blöndal

Björn Auðunsson Blöndal
Member of the Althing
In office
1845–1846
Appointed byChristian VIII of Denmark
Sýslumaður in Húnavatnasýsla
In office
1820–1846
Personal details
Born(1787-10-01)1 October 1787
Blöndudalshólar, Iceland
Died23 June 1846(1846-06-23) (aged 58)
Hvammur, Vatnsdal, Iceland
Resting placeUndirfellskirkjugarður
Children15 including Lárus Blöndal
Alma materUniversity of Copenhagen (Hafnarskóli)
ProfessionLawyer

Björn Auðunsson Blöndal (1 October 1787 – 23 June 1846) was an Icelandic District Commissioner and politician. He was a member of Alþingi from 1845 to 1846.[1]

He took the family name Blöndal during his years of study in Copenhagen.[2]

Björn played a significant role in the trial and execution of Agnes Magnúsdóttir and Friðrik Sigurðsson [is] for the murder of Natan Ketilsson [is].[3][4] They were the last people to be executed in Iceland, being beheaded at Þrístapar near Vatnsdalshólar in Húnavatnshreppur on 12 January 1830.[3]

Australian author Hannah Kent's novel Burial Rites was based on the story of Agnes and Friðrik and featured Björn as a character.[5]

References

  1. ^ Jón Gíslason (1 November 1987). "Minning Björn Auðunssonar Blöndals og konu hans Guðrúnar Þórðardóttur". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). p. 30. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Björn Blöndal". Alþingi (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  3. ^ a b "Hvenær var síðasta aftakan á Íslandi?". Vísindavefurinn (in Icelandic). Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  4. ^ Sigrún Huld Þorgrímsdóttir (21 May 2005). "Agnes og Friðrik - fyrir og eftir dauðann". Lesbók Morgunblaðsins (in Icelandic). Morgunblaðið. pp. 1, 4–5. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  5. ^ Karl Blöndal (9 October 2014). "Glæpur Agnesar og refsing". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). Retrieved 23 January 2022.