Skúli Magnússon

Skúli Magnússon was the first Icelanders to be Treasurer, and for half a century he was one of the most powerful men in the country. He had Viðeyjarstofa (Viðey House) built as his official residence; it was completed in 1755.

But Skúli did not only make his mark on Viðey. He also founded the first industrial enterprise in Iceland, the Innréttingar woollen workshops, which led to the beginning of urban development in Reykjavík. Hence he is known as the Father of Reykjavík. Skúli died on Viðey island in 1794, and buried beneath the altar of the church he had built there 20 years before.