Povilas Visinskis
(1875-1906). Literary journalist and editor, born in Usnenai, county of
Siauliai, on June 29, 1875. After graduating from high school in Siauliai in
1894 he began studying natural sciences at the University of St. Petersburg,
Russia, but, having contracted tuberculosis, he did not complete his
studies. He died in
Berlin on June 26, 1906. During his years as a student he wrote down items
of Lithuanian folklore, compiled an anthropological account of Samogitia,
and contributed to Lithuanian periodicals. From 1899-1906 he was editor of Varpas
(The Bell), and for a time served on the editorial staff of Vilniaus
Zinios (The Vilnius News). His major contribution consisted in fostering
literary talent among Lithuanians. His advice and patronage assisted the
rise of the following authors: Julija Zymantiene-Zemaite, Sofija
Psibiliauskiene-Lazdynu Peleda, Gabriele Petkevicaite-Bite, Jonas Biliunas,
and Jonas Kriksciunas-Jovaras. His surviving letters show continual concern
for Lithuanian literature and other cultural questions. By his skillful
handling of the case against the Russian government he contributed to the
abolition (1904) of the ban on printing in Latin characters. The collected
works (Rastai) of. Visinskis were published in Vilnius in 1964.
Text from the ENCYCLOPEDIA
LITUANICA I-VI. Boston, 1970-1978
