Mykolas Birziska
USA- Mykolas Biržiška: Lithuanian Historian and Cultural Figure
- Early Life and Education
- Vilnius Activities
- Political and Educational Leadership
- Academic Career in Kaunas
- Exile and Later Life
- Contributions to Lithuanian Literature and Folklore
Mykolas Biržiška: Lithuanian Historian and Cultural Figure
Mykolas Biržiška (1882-1962) was a renowned Lithuanian historian of literature and culture, as well as an active public and political figure.
Early Life and Education
Biržiška was born in Šiauliai, Lithuania, and attended the gymnasium there before enrolling in the law faculty of Moscow University from 1901 to 1907.
Vilnius Activities
Upon returning to Vilnius, Biržiška played a significant role in the Lithuanian Scientific Society and immersed himself in the study of Lithuanian literature. He also worked as an editor for the newspaper "Vilniaus žinios" and served in the Vilnius Land Bank.
Political and Educational Leadership
In 1917, Biržiška was elected to the Lithuanian Taryba (Council of Lithuania). He served as the director of the first gymnasium that taught in Lithuanian in Vilnius from 1915 to 1922. From 1918 to 1920, he was the government's general representative in Vilnius.
Academic Career in Kaunas
In 1922, Biržiška was invited to the newly founded Lithuanian University (later Vytautas Magnus University) in Kaunas. He held positions as Dean of the Humanities Faculty, Vice-Rector, and Rector. He also served as Rector of Vilnius University from 1940 to 1944 and as director of the Institute of Lithuanistics in 1940.
Exile and Later Life
In 1944, Biržiška emigrated as Soviet forces approached Lithuania. He taught Lithuanian literature at the Baltic University in Hamburg from 1946 to 1949 and then relocated to the United States in 1949. He prepared materials on Lithuanian literary history collected by his brother, Vaclovas Biržiška, and edited his three-volume biobibliography "Aleksandrynas" (1960-1965). Biržiška passed away in Los Angeles, California.
Contributions to Lithuanian Literature and Folklore
Biržiška was a prominent historian of Lithuanian literature and also studied Lithuanian folklore. His works on the Lithuanian folk songs known as "dainos" established their scientific study. He also authored books on the history of Lithuanian literature, as well as monographs on notable Lithuanian writers. In addition, he compiled a chrestomathy for Lithuanian students and published the works of the 19th-century Lithuanian writer Simonas Daukantas. Biržiška also wrote memoirs that documented the history of Lithuania during his lifetime.
