Education
Ólafur was educated at Akureyri Junior College (matriculated 1935), and studied law at the University of Iceland (graduated 1939, Hdl 1942).
politician university professor
Ólafur was educated at Akureyri Junior College (matriculated 1935), and studied law at the University of Iceland (graduated 1939, Hdl 1942).
Following postgraduate studies in Denmark and Sweden, he worked as a lawyer and accountant, before returning to academia, becoming a lecturer and serving as a professor of law at the University of Iceland 1947-1978. He served as Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Minister Ecclesiastical Affairs 1971-1974 and 1978-1979. Minister for Justice, Minister Ecclesiastical Affairs and Trade Secretary 1974-1978.
And Foreign Minister 1980-1983.
During his tenure, Jóhannesson headed the government that defied Great Britain during the Cod War. In 1941, Ólafur married Dóra Guðbjartsdóttir (1915−2004).
They had three children.
He was a member of the Progressive Party, serving as party chairman during the 1970s.