Einar Benediktsson Statue at Höfði

Einar Benediktsson (born October 31, 1864 in Elliðavatn, † January 12, 1940 in Herdísarvík) was an Icelandic poet and administrator. His short name Einar Ben is also common in Iceland.

The poet and entrepreneur Einar Benediktsson (1864-1940), lived in Höfði House from 1914 to 1917. Einar was a visionary and travelled the world. He travelled widely and advocated social reform with original ideas that have kept his name alive, even though not all of his ambitions were realized. His main legacy lies in his poetry, however: Einar is one of Iceland's most beloved poets. His poetry is powerful and passionate like the man himself. The style is neo-romantic, with strong imagery, focusing on the individual and his inner life, as well as the magnificent Icelandic nature.Mighty heartbeat of the ocean's cold depths,
my strength and peace I drink from your sound.
From "Surf"The sculpture by Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982) shows the poet in front of a harp, symbolizing his poetry. The sculptor wanted to show Einar in his grandeur, as a man incapable of small thinking. The memorial was originally displayed at Klambratún Park in 1964. It was moved to Höfði in 2015, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the companies Eimskip, Hvalur hf., Landsvirkjun, Mjólkursamsalan, Síminn, as well as a group of admirers.Einar Benediktsson is buried at Þingvellir National Park.Source: local signage

Born in the quiet expanses of Elliðavatn in 1864, Einar has lived a life full of passion, vision and boundless drive. The Höfði house, where he lived from 1914 to 1917, bears witness to this. Echoes of Einar's indefatigable spirit, which traveled widely and always returned with innovative ideas for social change, still resonate through his rooms. Many of his ideas were ahead of their time, and although not all of them came to fruition, his enduring influence remains felt.But Einar's heart beat above all for poetry. His verses are as passionate and powerful as the Icelandic nature he loved so much. The lines of his poem "Surfing" capture this passion as he describes the "mighty heartbeat of the cold depths of the ocean." With every syllable he lets us feel the powerful waves and the sound of the sea.A walk through Klambratún Park will lead you to a special monument dedicated to this unique soul. There you will find an impressive sculpture by Ásmundur Sveinsson that shows Einar in front of a harp - a symbol of his poetry. This harp represents not only his artistic side, but also his tireless spirit. Through this sculpture, Ásmundur wanted to show the greatness of Einar, a man for whom it was impossible to think small. Thanks to the support of numerous admirers and institutions, this monument has found its deserved place.