baldur learned esperanto at school in 1949 and was active in the movement to promote the use of this language since 1952. he was president of the icelandic esperanto association for many years. he presided over the world esperanto association's literary contest from 1975 to 1985. he was president of the organizing committee for the 1977 world esperanto congress at reykjavík and vice-president of the world esperanto association in charge of culture and education from 1980 to 1986. he was thereafter an honorary member of this organization.