Magnús Magnússon KBE (IPA: [maknus maknusɔn], (12 October 1929 – 7 January 2007) was a Scottish television presenter, journalist, translator and writer, of Icelandic origin. He came to fame as presenter of the BBC television quiz programme Mastermind, which he hosted for 25 years. Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire (Military division) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority... For information on how to read IPA transcriptions of English words see here. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots 2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I... A television presenter is a British term for a person who introduces or hosts television programmes. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Mastermind is a British quiz show, well-known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness. ...

He was born in Reykjavík but grew up in Edinburgh, where his father was Icelandic consul. Under Icelandic naming conventions, his name would have been Magnús Sigursteinsson (Magnús, son of Sigursteinn), but his family adopted Scottish naming conventions and used his father's last name. He was schooled at The Edinburgh Academy. For the town in Canada see Reykjavik, Manitoba Location in Iceland Coordinates: Constituency Reykjavík North Reykjavík South Area    - City 274. ... Edinburgh (pronounced ; Scottish Gaelic: ) is the capital of Scotland and its second-largest city. ... The title Consul has been used for official representatives of a state, outside its (metropolitan) territory, looking after its interests (a task normally largely transferred to the formal diplomacy) and, especially, those of its subjects, individuals as well as enterprises. ...

After graduating from Jesus College, Oxford, he became a reporter with the Scottish Daily Express and The Scotsman. He went freelance in 1967, then joined the BBC, presenting programmes on history and archaeology as well as appearing in news programmes. He was Rector of the University of Edinburgh from 1975 to 1978, and later became Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University. College name Jesus College Named after Jesus Christ Established 1571 Sister College Jesus College, Cambridge Principal Sir John Krebs JCR President John-Michael Arnold Undergraduates 344 MCR President Claire Brunel Graduates 134 Homepage Boatclub Jesus College (in full: Jesus College in the University of Oxford of Queen Elizabeths Foundation... The Scotsmans offices in Edinburgh The Scotsman is a Scottish newspaper published in Edinburgh. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a renowned centre for teaching and research in Edinburgh, Scotland. ... Glasgow Caledonian University is a University in Glasgow, Scotland. ...

His most famous catch-phrase on Mastermind, which the current presenter John Humphrys has continued to use, was "I've started so I'll finish". John Humphrys John Humphrys (born 17 August 1943) is a British radio and television presenter. ...

He translated a variety of books from Icelandic and Old Norse into English. Among these are several works by Halldór Laxness, the Nobel prize winning novelist from Iceland, and a number of Norse sagas which he co-translated (with Hermann Pálsson) for the Penguin Classics series: Njal's Saga (1960), The Vinland Sagas (1965), King Harald's Saga (1966) and Laxdaela Saga (1969). Magnusson was also the author of a popular history of the Viking era, called The Vikings (revised edition, 2000). Old Norse is the Germanic language spoken by the inhabitants of Scandinavia and their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Halldór Laxness Halldór Kiljan Laxness (born Halldór Guðjónsson) (April 23, 1902 – February 8, 1998) was a 20th century Icelandic author of such novels as Independent People, The Atom Station, Paradise Reclaimed, Icelands Bell, The Fish Can Sing and World Light. ... Nobel Prize medal. ... The Norse sagas or Viking sagas (Icelandic: Íslendingasögur), are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, about early Viking voyages, about migration to Iceland, and of feuds between Icelandic families. ... Hermann Pálsson (1921–2002) was an Icelandic scholar. ... The Penguin Classics Library Complete Collection was the complete collection of books published by Penguin classics, a division of Penguin Books as of 2005. ... Njáls saga (also known as The Story of Burnt Njál) is an epic of Icelandic literature from the 13th century that describes the progress of a 50-year blood feud. ... The Vinland Sagas are two Icelandic documents: The Saga of the Greenlanders and The Saga of Eric the Red. ... Laxdæla saga is the saga of the clan/family of Laxdal. ... The term Viking commonly denotes the ship-borne explorers, traders, and warriors of the Norsemen who originated in Scandinavia and raided the coasts of the British Isles, France and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century. ...

Magnusson was, for a time, the President of the RSPB. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is Europes largest wildlife conservation charity. ...

His eldest daughter, Sally Magnusson, is also a television presenter in Scotland. Sally Magnusson is a Scottish broadcaster, who is often seen on BBC television. ...

On October 12, 2006 his 77th birthday, Magnusson was diagnosed with cancer. [1]. He died on 7 January 2007.[2] October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Cancerous tumor be merged into this article or section. ... January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...