The Stephensen Family

In 1794 Ólafur Stephensen, the first Icelander to be Governor of Iceland, moved to Viðey, where he lived until his death in 1812. He was renowned for his hospitality. His son Magnús Stephensen, president of the High Court, took over the estate at his death, and in 1817 he bought the island from the royal estate. He installed a printing-press on the island, which functioned 1819–44. Magnús died in 1833, and island remained in the Stephensen family until the end of the 19th century.