Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Ólafur Thors
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Read Next
David Cameron. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom talk during the G8 Summit at the Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, June 17, 2013
What’s the Difference Between a President and a Prime Minister?
Discover
Town of Sisimiut located on the coast of the Davis Strait on Kangerluarsunnguaq Bay, Greenland
The Largest Islands in the World
World Data Locator Map: Australia
Is Australia an Island?
Stylish light blue jeans on wooden background, closeup of inset pocket
Why Do Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket?
The impeachment trial of Pres. Andrew Johnson, illustration from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 28, 1868.
What If the President Is Impeached?
Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro
Why Is Christmas in December?
Four year old boy with grandfather and father lighting Hanukkah menorah. Photo taken on: December 21st, 2009
Which Is Correct: Hanukkah or Chanukah?
Saint Lucia Day. Young girl wears Lucia crown (tinsel halo) with candles. Holds Saint Lucia Day currant laced saffron buns (lussekatter or Lucia's cats). Observed December 13 honor virgin martyr Santa Lucia (St. Lucy). Luciadagen, Christmas, Sweden
7 Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World

Ólafur Thors

prime minister of Iceland
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/biography/Olafur-Thors
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Quick Facts
Born:
Jan. 19, 1892, Borgarnes, Iceland
Died:
Dec. 31, 1964, Reykjavík (aged 72)

Ólafur Thors (born Jan. 19, 1892, Borgarnes, Iceland—died Dec. 31, 1964, Reykjavík) was a five-time Icelandic prime minister (1942, 1944–46, 1949–50, 1953–56, 1959–63).

Educated at the University of Copenhagen, Thors ran a fishing trawler company with his brother after returning to Iceland in 1916. In 1925 he was elected to the Althingi (parliament) as a member of the Independence Party after serving as chairman of the trawler owners’ association. In 1932 he entered the government as minister of justice, becoming communications minister in 1939, and in 1942 he became foreign minister and prime minister. He held both posts in 1944 when Iceland severed all ties with Denmark and drafted its republican constitution. Leaving office in 1946, Thors once more served as prime minister in 1949–50, as minister of industries and export trade from 1950 to 1953, and then again as prime minister during the 1950s and early ’60s.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.