Born: 1777 (Stéttar farm, near Eyrarbakki, Iceland)
Biography:
Þuríður Einarsdóttir (Thuridur Einarsdottir), commonly known as Foreman Thuridur or Þuríður formaður, was an Icelandic sea captain born in 1777. She is best known for her groundbreaking career as a fisherman and for her instrumental role in identifying the perpetrators of the infamous Kambur robbery in 1827. Throughout her life, Thuridur defied societal norms and became a highly respected and skilled captain in Iceland.
Þuríður was born on the Stéttar farm near the village of Eyrarbakki, the daughter of Helga Bjarnadóttir and Einar Eiríksson, who were a farmer and a fisherman, respectively. In her childhood, Thuridur began fishing on her father’s boat during the spring months. After her father’s passing in the early 1790s, she continued to fish alongside her brother Bjarni both in the spring and autumn seasons. It was during this time that Thuridur honed her seafaring skills and eventually became a fully competent seafarer, participating in fishing expeditions during the winter months under the guidance of Foreman Jón in Móhús. This was a remarkable feat for a woman at the time, and she would often dress as a man while working.
From 1802 to 1847, Thuridur dedicated her time to fishing, quickly becoming adept at seamanship. During this period, she resided primarily in the vicinity of Stokkseyri, spending a significant amount of time in the village of Gata. It was during her tenure in Gata that Thuridur first took on the role of a fishing boat foreman, initially during the spring and autumn seasons, and later during the winter season when she served as a foreman in Þorlákshöfn. In Þorlákshöfn, she led a successful eight-oar boat, earning a reputation as a skillful and careful captain. Thuridur’s expertise and popularity among her crew were evident throughout her career, as she moved along the south coast and continued to excel in her chosen profession.
After 1830, Thuridur resided mostly in Eyrerbakki but spent the years from 1840 to 1847 working for merchants in Hafnarfjörður. Despite her successful fishing career, she eventually retired in 1856 and transitioned to earning a living by working on a small farm. During her retirement, she received financial support from the parish.
Thuridur’s personal life also had its share of ups and downs. She had a daughter named Þórdis with Erlendur Þorvarðarson, with whom she lived in Eystri Móhús for two years. Unfortunately, Þórdis passed away at the age of five. In 1820, Thuridur married Jón Egilsson, a 21-year-old worker of hers. However, their marriage did not last.
Apart from her impressive career as a fisherman, Foreman Thuridur is also well-known for her pivotal role in helping to identify those involved in the infamous Kambur robbery in 1827. She played a crucial part in recognizing a pattern on a shoe dropped by one of the robbers and identifying the mark of an anvil on an iron rod found at the scene.
Overall, Foreman Thuridur’s life and achievements serve as a testament to her resilience, determination, and trailblazing spirit. In a time when women’s opportunities were restricted, she demonstrated that women were fully capable of excelling in traditionally male-dominated fields. Her contributions as a skilled captain and her involvement in solving a high-profile crime showcase her lasting impact on Icelandic history.