He studied at Möðruvalla School and wanted to attend the Reykjavík Latin School in 1905, but could not afford it—by the time his family had saved enough money he was rejected (by rector Steingrímur Thorsteinsson) for being too old.
Han gik i Möðruvalla Skole og søgte om at komme på latinskolen i Reykjavík i 1905, men havde ikke råd til at betale skolepengene, da hans familie havde sparet penge nok op blev han afvist af rektor Steingrímur Thorsteinsson for at være for gammel.