Rasmus B. Anderson

Rasmus Bjørn Anderson (January 12, 1846 – March 2, 1936) was an American author, professor, editor, businessman and diplomat.

He brought to popular attention the fact that Viking explorers were the first Europeans to arrive in the New World and was the originator of Leif Erikson Day.

[3] His parents Bjørn Anderson Kvelve (1801–1850) and Abel Cathrine von Krogh (1809–1885) were immigrants from Sandeid / Vikedal in Ryfylke in the county of Rogaland, Norway.

[6][7][8] Rasmus B. Anderson founded a publication company, the Norrœna Society, which focused on republishing translations of texts devoted to "the History and Romance of Northern Europe".

[9] [2] Anderson's book America Not Discovered by Columbus helped popularize the now familiar fact that Norse explorers were the first Europeans in the New World.