What is Sveinn Björnsson?
'''Sveinn Björnsson''' ([[27 January]] [[1881]] -[[25 January]] [[1952]]) became a member of Reykjavik town council in 1912 and was its president in 1918-20. Born in [[Copenhagen, Denmark]], he was a member of the [[Althing]] in 1914-1916 and 1920, and following Iceland's independence from Denmark in 1918 he acted as minister to Denmark in 1920-1924 and 1926-1940. The German occupation of Denmark in 1940 resulted in Iceland's autonomy (Denmark had been responsible for Iceland's foreign affairs), and Björnsson was elected [[Regent of Iceland]] three times in 1941-1943, assuming the prerogatives previously held by the Danish king. When Iceland became a republic in 1944 he was chosen to be the first president of [[Iceland]] by the Althing. He served from [[1944]] to [[1952]], being re-elected unopposed in 1945 and 1949. He died in [[Reykjavik]] more than one year before his second term of office was due to expire. <center> <table border = 1> <tr> <td width = 40% align = center> [[List of Presidents of Iceland|Presidents of Iceland]] <td width = 30% align = center> Succeeded by:<br>[[Ásgeir Ásgeirsson]] </table> </center> [[Category:1881 births|Björnsson, Sveinn]] [[Category:1952 deaths|Björnsson, Sveinn]] [[Category:Icelandic politicians]] [[Category:Presidents of Iceland]]