ABSTRACT
Magnus and Kristín, the daughter of the family at Drangar, started courting in 1896. Interestingly, many years later Kristín of Drangar would recall her relationship with Magnus in her semi-autobiography. Magnus took on various employment in the West Fjords in 1895-1900, including teaching and fishing. He was one of the better-known folk poets in the region, and traveled widely for that reason. His biographer, Gunnar M. Magnuss, states that he composed abut 600 poems during those years: “some of them quite lengthy ballads”. In 1911, Magnus and his family were finally granted leave to reside at Suoureyri in Sugandafjorour. The district council leader proved to be a friend to him, granting the permit without any hesitation, and for the first time in his life Magnus was given the opportunity to work as a free man in his home community.
