Notable Individuals in Latvian History
Writer:
Rainis (real name: Jānis Pliekšāns, 1865-1929), the most distinguished Latvian writer of all time who is the author of a number of poetry collections and plays. Rainis is also acknowledged as the "Man of the 20th Century of Latvia".
Composers:
Andrejs Jurjāns (1856-1922) and Jazeps Vītols (1863-1948), the founders of the national style in the sphere of Latvian instrumental music.
Painters:
Janis Rozentāls (1866-1916) and Vilhelms Purvītis (1872-1945) are the most widely recognised Latvian painters. Janis Rozentāls developed Latvian genre and portrait painting and Vilhelms Purvītis consistently turned to the genre of scenery painting and raised the standard of Latvian scenery painting in Europe.
Scientist:
Dāvids Hieronīms Grindelis (1776-1836), the first Latvian natural scientist, chemist, pharmacist and doctor.
Athletes:
Jānis Lūsis (1939), the only athlete (javelin) in Latvia to have a complete Olympic medal set (gold, silver, bronze).
Uljana Semjonova (1952), tallest female basketball player in the Olympic history, 3-time World Champion.
Jānis (John) Konrads (1942), famous Rīga-born Latvian swimmer is the best-known Latvian from Australia. Starting in 1958, Jānis Konrads broke 31 different world records in swimming in various distances.
Music, Literature, Theater, Movies ...
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