Gísli Þorláksson

Gísli was the son of Þorlákur Skúlason, the bishop of Hólar, and Kristín Gísladóttir. He grew up in Hólar, graduating from Hólar College in 1649, after which he studied at the University of Copenhagen until 1651. After returning to Iceland, Gísli served as schoolmaster in Hólar.^[1]

Although he was barely 25 years old at the time, Gísli was named bishop of Hólar following his father's death in 1656 and was consecrated in Copenhagen in 1657. In large part, Gísli's appointment came from his family's reputation; his grandfather (Guðbrandur Þorláksson) and his father both preceded Gísli as bishop. Between Guðbrandur, Þorlákur, and Gísli, the family served as bishop of Hólar for 113 years.^[2]

Gísli was known for his interest in art, and he commissioned several pieces for the church, including the baptismal font carved by Guðmundur Guðmundsson í Bjarnastaðahlíð [is] for the Hólar Cathedral.^[1] He wrote several religious works which were widely distributed, including Húspostilla 1–2 (1667–1670) and a translation of Luther's Small Catechism (1660).^[2] During his time as bishop, Gísli oversaw the publishing of about 40 books by the Hólar press; it was after his death that his brother Þórður, bishop of Skálholt, received permission to move the press to Skálholt.