This document is an English-language abstract (approximately 1,500 words) of a Doctorate of Education dissertation on the development of education in Iceland since 874 A.D. Special attention has been given to social, political, and economic issues influencing Icelandic education. The procedure consisted of reviewing the literature, interviewing individuals, searching legal records, newspaper files, school records, and other pertinent data. Eight major periods of Icelandic education are identified and described: (1) From colonialization to Reformation, 874-1550 (2) The Reformation period, 1550-1745; (3) Educational awakening, 1745-1800; (4) The nationalistic movement, 1800-1874; (5) The public education movement, 1874-1904; (6) Formation of an educational pattern, 1904-1918; (7) Period of consolidation, 1918-1944; (8)Era of modernization, 1944-1966; Until the 20th Century, Icelandic education was in the hands of Denmark, infusing it with its concepts of monarchy, church, and continental views. The era of modernization (1944) began when Iceland became completely independent. Indigenous periods of influence, however, prevailed at various intervals between Scandinavian rule. (Author/GDB)