Einar Hjörleifsson Kvaran

[5] Einar was one of the pioneers of realism in Icelandic writing; his stories and novels represent a break with past admiration of the sagas: they are written in educated contemporary language and deal with ordinary people and problems.

[6] From 1885 to 1895 Einar emigrated to Icelandic Canada,[7] where he lived in Winnipeg and helped found two Icelandic-language weekly publications, Heimskringla ("Globe") and Lögberg ("Tribune").

[3][8][9] On his return to Iceland he was a journalist and editor in both Reykjavík and Akureyri; he participated in the struggle for independence and also wrote about education, temperance and theatre.

[13] He played a major part in the investigation and publicising of many Icelandic mediums, notably Indriði Indriðason and Hafstein Björnsson.

[14] His later writings were dominated by spiritualism,[15][16] particularly the novel Sögur Rannveigar ("Rannveig's Tales", parts I and II 1919 and 1922),[17] but also by Christian humanism.