[1][2] Before Jacob Olsen studied at the Faroese Teachers School (Føroya Læraraskúli), he worked 15 months in business in Sandavágur and was at sea for a single year.

[1][2] In the period 1928-1931 Jacob Olsen and Sámal Johansen were founders and editors of Barnablaðið (The Child Magazine).

[1][2][4][5] The numerous children's stories published in this magazine were the basis of the book Nú Breddar, which the Faroese Union of Teachers released in 1964 on the occasion of Jacob Olsen's 60th birthday.

[1] During 1932-1933 Jacob Olsen studied English, geography, animal raising and plant cultivation at the State Teacher's College.

)[1] Jacob Olsen moved with his wife to Copenhagen in the early 1970s, where he continued his translation work, and gave private lessons in English until his death of natural causes on 13 October 1994 at the age of 90 years.