Background
Pálmi was born a farmer"s son. Studied in Akureyri before proceeding to the Lærði Skólinn in Reykjavík. And on graduating from there proceeded to the University of Copenhagen to study natural history and geography.
Pálmi was born a farmer"s son. Studied in Akureyri before proceeding to the Lærði Skólinn in Reykjavík. And on graduating from there proceeded to the University of Copenhagen to study natural history and geography.
He concluded his education in 1926 with a Master"s degree in zoology. As well as being prominent among Icelandic students at Copenhagen, he was also an alderman of the Studentergården and was noted for his fluency in Danish. In the words of Niel Nielsen,
In 1930, 31 years old, Pálmi became rector of Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík, a key position in Icelandic cultural life of the time.
He held the position until 1956.
Nonetheless, he continued his scientific work, and was an important host to visiting scientists from Denmark. Pálmi was also a connoisseur of old and modern Icelandic literature.
On 4 November 1947 The Royal Danish Geographical Society Hans Egede Medal, and the same year he was appointed an honorary member of the Society.