Juozas Ambrazevicius
Encyclopedia
Juozas Ambrazevičius or Juozas Brazaitis (December 9, 1903 in Trakiškiai near Marijampolė
— October 28, 1974 in the United States) was a Lithuania
n literary historian, better known for his political career and nationalistic views. He was the acting Prime Minister
of the Provisional Government of Lithuania
from June 23, 1941 to August 5, 1941.
. From 1927 he lectured on Lithuanian literature
and folklore in Kaunas
. By the end of 1930's he got involved in numerous organizations for literature teachers and scientists. His major works include Theory of Literature (Literatūros teorija in 1930), two-volume A History of World Literature (Visoutinė literatūros istorija in 1931-1932), Vaižgantas
(in 1936), three-volume New Readings (Naujieji skaitymai), Lithuanian Writers (Lietuvių rašytojai in 1938). He also worked on the editorial staff of national daily Lietuva (Lithuania) and Catholic daily XX amžius (The 20th Century). He would sometimes use pseudonym
Servus to write for these newspapers. During the World War II
he edited an underground periodical Į laivę (Towards Freedom) which he later revived in Germany and in the United States.
. When Nazi Germany attacked Russia, Lithuania declared restoring independence
and he became the Minister of Education and acting Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Lithuania
as Kazys Škirpa
was unable to take this post. Soon afterwards the Germans abolished the government and its work was continued by the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania
where Ambrazevičius served as chairman of its political commission. Later, already in exile, he participated in other various political organizations, published political pamphlet
s. He published memoirs All Alone (Lithuanian: Vienų vieni, German: Allein, ganz allein) in 1964 under the name of N. E. Sudūvis.
.
Marijampole
Marijampolė is an industrial city and the capital of the Marijampolė County in the south of Lithuania, bordering Poland and Russian Kaliningrad oblast, and Lake Vištytis. The population of Marijampolė is 48,700...
— October 28, 1974 in the United States) was a Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n literary historian, better known for his political career and nationalistic views. He was the acting Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Lithuania
The Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of the executive arm of Lithuania's government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas. The modern office of Prime Minister was established in 1990, although the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers" until 25...
of the Provisional Government of Lithuania
Provisional Government of Lithuania
The Provisional Government of Lithuania was a temporary government aiming for independent Lithuania during the last days of the Soviet occupation and the first weeks of German Nazi occupation in 1941. It was secretly formed on 22 April, 1941, announced on 23 June, 1941, and dissolved on 5 August,...
from June 23, 1941 to August 5, 1941.
Academic carier
Ambrazevičius studied literature at University of Lithuania in Kaunas and University of BonnUniversity of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
. From 1927 he lectured on Lithuanian literature
Lithuanian literature
Lithuanian literature concerns the art of written works compiled by Lithuanians throughout their history.-Latin language:A wealth of Lithuanian literature was written in Latin, the main scholarly language in the Middle Ages.-Lithuanian language:...
and folklore in Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
. By the end of 1930's he got involved in numerous organizations for literature teachers and scientists. His major works include Theory of Literature (Literatūros teorija in 1930), two-volume A History of World Literature (Visoutinė literatūros istorija in 1931-1932), Vaižgantas
Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas
Juozas Tumas, also known by the pen name Vaižgantas , was a prominent Lithuanian writer, Roman Catholic priest, social activist, literary historian, and one of the founders of the Party of National Progress. He wrote novels, short fictional pieces, and non-fiction...
(in 1936), three-volume New Readings (Naujieji skaitymai), Lithuanian Writers (Lietuvių rašytojai in 1938). He also worked on the editorial staff of national daily Lietuva (Lithuania) and Catholic daily XX amžius (The 20th Century). He would sometimes use pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Servus to write for these newspapers. During the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he edited an underground periodical Į laivę (Towards Freedom) which he later revived in Germany and in the United States.
During WWII
When the Soviets occupied Lithuania in 1940, Ambrazevičius joined the resistance movementResistance in Lithuania during World War II
During World War II, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union , Nazi Germany , and the Soviet Union again in 1944. Resistance during this period took many forms. Significant parts of the resistance were formed by Polish and Soviet forces, some of which fought with Lithuanian collaborators...
. When Nazi Germany attacked Russia, Lithuania declared restoring independence
Lithuanian 1941 independence
The June Uprising was a brief period in the history of Lithuania between the first Soviet and Nazi occupations in June 1941. Approximately one year earlier, on June 15, 1940, the Red Army invaded Lithuania and the unpopular Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic was soon established. Political...
and he became the Minister of Education and acting Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Lithuania
Provisional Government of Lithuania
The Provisional Government of Lithuania was a temporary government aiming for independent Lithuania during the last days of the Soviet occupation and the first weeks of German Nazi occupation in 1941. It was secretly formed on 22 April, 1941, announced on 23 June, 1941, and dissolved on 5 August,...
as Kazys Škirpa
Kazys Škirpa
Kazys Škirpa was a Lithuanian military officer and diplomat best known for his attempts to establish Lithuanian independence in 1941.- Army career:...
was unable to take this post. Soon afterwards the Germans abolished the government and its work was continued by the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania
Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania
The Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania or VLIK was an organization seeking independence of Lithuania. It was established on October 25, 1943 during the Nazi occupation. After World War II it moved abroad and continued its operations in Germany and the United States...
where Ambrazevičius served as chairman of its political commission. Later, already in exile, he participated in other various political organizations, published political pamphlet
Pamphlet
A pamphlet is an unbound booklet . It may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths , or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and saddle stapled at the crease to make a simple book...
s. He published memoirs All Alone (Lithuanian: Vienų vieni, German: Allein, ganz allein) in 1964 under the name of N. E. Sudūvis.
External links
Juozas Ambrazevičius-Brazaitis (1903–1974) in VorutaVoruta (newspaper)
Voruta is a Lithuanian weekly historical newspaper, founded in 1989 by Juozas Vercinkevičius.Preparations for publishing Voruta started in 1988 and first trial issue was published in 1989...
.