Simonas Daukantas

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Simonas Daukantas (1793 - 1864; pen-names K.V.Mylė, Jokūbas Laukys^[1] (Jokyb's Łaukys)[1], Motiejus Šauklys, J.Devynakis, Jonas Girdenis, Jonas Raganius, Antanas Žeimys, Jonas Purvys, Antanas Vaineikis sometimes mentioned also in polonised form Szymon Dowkont^[2][3]) was a Lithuanian writer^[4], ethnographer and historian. One of the pioneers of the Lithuanian national revival, he is credited with the first book on the History of Lithuania written in the Lithuanian language. He also published several books on Lithuanian and Samogitian folklore, and wrote a Polish-Lithuanian dictionary.^[4]

Born October 26, 1793, at Kalviai, near Skuodas, then in the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania, part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, now in Lithuania. In 1814 he went to Vilnius and entered a local gymnasium. After graduating in 1816, he began studies at the University of Vilnius. In 1819 Daukantas received his first degree in the field of Law, and in 1822, a Masters Degree also in Law. Daukantas did not receive his diploma immediately due the suppression of the Filomat and Filaret student movements at Vilnius University, and only acquired it in 1825, three years later. He then relocated to Dorpat (modern Tartu), where he continued his studies until moving to Riga. From there he went to St. Petersburg, and obtained employment at the Lithuanian Metrica Office, and assistedFranciszek Malewski and Franciszek Czarnocki)^[3].

He also collaborated with Teodor Narbutt, a historian, and gave him almost eight hundred original documents dealing with Lithuanian history as well as that of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth^[2]. He also published several history books and novels in Lithuanian, notably the Pałangos petris, a "Robinson Crusoe-like novel"^[2].

In 1846 fables by Phaedrus, were translated by Daukantas under the pen-name Motiejus Šauklys into the Lithuanian language and were published in St. Petersburg ^[5].

Finally in 1850 he returned to Lithuania, where he died December 6, 1864. He was buried on the summit of the Papilė hill fort. A monument, designed by V. Grybas, was erected there in 1930.

Among his manuscripts were a Polish-Lithuanian dictionary and a book on the history of Samogitia and Lithuania. Both were published posthumously^[2].

[edit] Bibliography

• Darbai senųjų lietuvių ir žemaičių (1822);
• Istorija žemaitiška (1838);
• Būdas senovės lietuvių, kalnėnų ir žemaičių (original title Budą Senowęs Lietuwiû kalneniu ir Żemaitiû; St. Petersburg, 1845);
• Daines Ziamajtiû (St. Petersburg, 1846);
• Pasakojimas apie veikalus lietuvių tautos senovėje (1850).
• Pałangos petris

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] External links

• (Lithuanian) BŪDAS SENOVĖS LIETUVIŲ, KALNĖNŲ IR ŽEMAIČIŲ