Tracked #88754

Geghin spore. Poem by Guðrún Árnadóttir from Oddsstaðir.
Good copy, publisher's binding. Signed.

Guðrún Árnadóttir was born on October 15, 1900, at Oddsstaðir in Lundareykjadalur and grew up there until the age of eleven, when her father died. After that, she lived with her mother in various places in Borgarfjörður.

Guðrún did not receive any formal education beyond childbirth, but was inquisitive and learned to play musical instruments at a young age. In 1917, she moved to Reykjavík with her mother and worked there as a laborer, but in the summer she fished for herring.

In 1922, Guðrún married Bjarni Tómasson, a sailor, and they lived in Reykjavík. They had no children but adopted a son. He died in a car accident at the age of just over twenty in 1949.

Guðrún was interested in national affairs, had radical views and worked for the People's Party, among other things. She enjoyed folk poetry and was on the board of the Iðunnar Poets' Association.

Guðrún's only book of poetry is Gengin spor , published in 1949 and dedicated to the memory of her son. Previously, several of her poems had been published in Borgfirsk Ljóður and also in newspapers.

Guðrún died in Reykjavík on April 14, 1968. (www.skald.is)