Stefán Jóhann Stefánsson

Prime Minister of Iceland

20 July 1894 Dagverðareyri, Iceland

20 October 1980(1980-10-20) (86)

4 February 1947 – 6 December 1949

For other people named Stefán Stefánsson, see Stefán Stefánsson (disambiguation). This is an Icelandic name. The last name is patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Stefán Jóhann. Stefán Jóhann Stefánsson (20 July 1894 – 20 October 1980) was the first actual Minister of Foreign Affairs in Iceland from 18 November 1941 to 17 January 1942. He was Prime Minister of Iceland from 4 February 1947 to 6 December 1949. He was first elected to the Althing in 1934 but did not get reelected in 1937. From 1942 to 1953, he regained his seat in the Althing. He was chairman of the now defunct Social Democratic Party (Alþýðuflokkurinn) from 1938 to 1952. He was ambassador of Iceland in Denmark from 1957 to 1965. He was minister for social affairs from 1939 to 1941 and Minister of Foreign and Social Affairs from 1941 to 1942. He was Prime-Minister when Island joined NATO in 1949. He was born in Dagverðareyri, Island. Stefansson gained his degree in Law in 1922. He was Social Affairs Minister in 1939 and Secretary of State in 1940–1942.