A list of notable Estonian poets:

A

Johannes Aavik Johannes Aavik ( in Randvere, Saaremaa, Estonia (then Russian Empire) – 18 March 1973 in Stockholm, Sweden) was an Estonian philologist and Fennophile who played a significant role in the modernization and development of the Estonian langu ...

Hendrik Adamson Hendrik Adamson ( – 7 March 1946) was an Estonian poet and teacher. He was born as a son of a tailor in Patsi farmstead in Metsakuru village, Kärstna Parish (now in Veisjärve village, Tarvastu Parish), Viljandi County. From 1911 he worked as ...

* Artur Adson * Vahur Afanasjev * Eda Ahi *

Ave Alavainu Ave Alavainu (4 October 1942 – 3 April 2022) was an Estonian poet and writer. She was born in Tartu on 4 October 1942 and died on 3 April 2022 at the age of 79. She attended the Tallinn University, Tallinn Pedagogical Institute (1962–64), st ...

Andres Allan Andres-Allan Ellmann (born Andres-Allan Kurvits, better known by his pseudonym Andres Allan; 24 September 1965 – 22 July 1988) was an Estonian poet. Life Andres Allan was born in Tallinn. He was the younger brother of artist . He attended pri ...

* August Alle *

Artur Alliksaar Artur Alliksaar (15 April 1923, in Tartu – 12 August 1966, in Tartu) was an Estonian poet. Biography Alliksaar (formerly Alnek) attended elementary school in Tartu in 1931. In 1937, he enrolled in the prestigious secondary school: the Hugo Tre ...

Betti Alver Elisabet "Betti" Alver ( in Jõgeva – 19 June 1989 in Tartu), was one of Estonia's most notable poets. She was among the first generation to be educated in schools of an independent Estonia. She went to grammar school in Tartu. Writing S ...

Ott Arder Ott Arder (26 February 1950 in Tallinn – 26 June 2004 in Kassari) was an Estonian poet, children's writer and translator. He was also the author of several popular songs and written texts. From 1990, he was a member of the Estonian Writers' U ...

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Johannes Barbarus Johannes Vares (pen name Barbarus or Vares-Barbarus – 29 November 1946) was an Estonian and Soviet poet, medical doctor, and politician. Vares was born in a farmer family in the village of Kiisa, near Viljandi, Estonia. He received seco ...

Vladimir Beekman Vladimir Beekman (23 August 1929 – 3 October 2009) was an Estonian writer, poet and translator. Early life and education After completing his primary education, he attended the Tallinn University of Technology and graduated in 1953 with a degre ...

Priidu Beier Priidu Beier (pseudonyms: Matti Moguči, Pierre Bezuhhov; born 16 October 1957 in Tartu) is an Estonian poet and teacher. He has edited several publications and is also a member of the Estonian Writers' Union and Estonian Literary Society. Betwe ...

Veiko Belials Veiko Belials (born 20 July 1966 in Tapa) is an Estonian writer, poet, and translator. In 1991, he graduated from the Estonian Academy of Agriculture, studying forestry. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Tartu, studying to be a teache ...

* Mihkel Bravat

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Andres Ehin Andres Ehin (14 March 1940 – 10 December 2011) was an Estonian writer and translator. In 1964 he graduated from University of Tartu, studying Estonian philology (especially Finno-Ugric studies). From 1972 to 1974 he was the senior scientific edi ...

Kristiina Ehin Kristiina Ehin (born 18 July 1977) is an Estonia, Estonian poet, translator, singer and songwriter. Ehin studied at University of Tartu with a degree in philology and specializes in folklore. In 2004, she acquired master's degree in the Estonia ...

Salme Ekbaum Salme Ekbaum (until 1941 Salme Neumann; 21 October 1912 Paistu Parish, Viljandi County – 10 September 1995 Toronto) was an Estonian writer and poet. He graduated from University of Tartu, studying pharmacy. In 1944 she escaped to Sweden and in ...

* Ernst Enno

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Villem Grünthal-Ridala Villem Grünthal-Ridala, born Grünthal-Wilhelm (30 May 1885 in Kuivastu, Muhu, Kreis Ösel, Governorate of Livonia - 16 January 1942 in Helsinki, Finland) was an Estonian poet, translator, linguist and folklorist.Toivo Miljan, ''Historical Dicti ...

H

Paul Haavaoks Paul Haavaoks (12 April 1924 Värska, Setumaa – 30 September 1983) was an Estonian poet. He did several jobs. In some period he was a member of Saatse Parish executive committee. He was also a member in the editorial office of the newspaper ''K ...

* Lehte Hainsalu *

Aime Hansen Aime Hansen is an Estonian poet, writer, and artist. She is noted for her works with religious themes and her exploration of the mysticism of life and psychology. In 2009 she authored ''Jaipur-Delhi-Himaalaja: reisikohvrist leitud lood'', a sho ...

* Viiu Härm *

Marie Heiberg Marie Heiberg (10 September 1890 – 15 February 1942) was an Estonian poet. When she was only about 15 years old she wrote her first poems which were acclaimed for their youthful freshness. Heiberg spent the last twenty years of her life in a me ...

Mehis Heinsaar Mehis Heinsaar (born 1 August 1973) is an Estonian writer. He has mainly written short stories. His stories represents the style of magical realism. He has won many awards, for example, the Friedebert Tuglas Short Story Award three times (20 ...

* Erni Hiir * Indrek Hirv

I

Aapo Ilves Aapo Ilves ( vro, Ilvese Aapo; born 20 October 1970, in Räpina) is an Estonian poet, writer, playwright, artist and musician. He writes in Estonian, Võro and Seto languages. Ilves has also written song lyrics for other artists, including sev ...

Jaan Isotamm Jaan Isotamm (pseudonym Johnny B. Isotamm; 19 October 1939 Tartu – 2 June 2014) was an Estonian poet. In 1956 he was imprisoned for participation in an anti-Soviet underground youth organization. He was sent to a labor camp in the Mordovian ASS ...

Ivar Ivask Ivar Vidrik Ivask (December 17, 1927 Riga – September 23, 1992 Fountainstown, Ireland) was an Estonian poet and literary scholar. He escaped in 1944 from Estonia to Germany and lived from 1949 onwards in the United States and from 1991 in Irela ...

J

* Merle Jääger (pen name Merca) *

Carl Robert Jakobson Carl Robert Jakobson ( – ) was an Estonian writer, politician and teacher active in the Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire. He was one of the most important persons of the Estonian national awakening in the second half of the 19th century ...

* Peeter Jakobson * Jaak Jõerüüt *

Ottniell Jürissaar Ottniell Jürissaar (27 March 1924 – 7 September 2014) was an Estonian poet, composer, and conductor. Early life and education Ottniell Jürissaar was born in Tartu. His father, Johannes Jürissaar, was an inventor and small-scale industrialist ...

K

Bernard Kangro Bernard Kangro (18 September 1910 – 25 March 1994) was an Estonian writer and poet. Education Bernard Kangro was born the son of a farmer, Andres Kangro, and his wife, Minna. He grew up in rather humble circumstances. He attended primary schoo ...

* Maarja Kangro * Jaan Kaplinski *

Doris Kareva Doris Kareva (28 November 1958) is an Estonian poet and translator. She serves as the head of the Estonian National Commission in UNESCO. Biography Kareva was born in Tallinn. Her father, Hillar Kareva, was a notable composer. She studied Engli ...

Jaan Kärner Jaan Kärner (27 May 1891, in Käo village, then Kirepi Parish (now Elva Parish), Kreis Dorpat – 3 April 1958 in Tartu) was an Estonian poet and writer. He is known especially for his nature poetry. Many of his poems were set to music by Est ...

Kalev Kesküla Kalev Kesküla (22 October 1959 – 25 June 2010) was an Estonian journalist and writer. Kesküla was born in Tallinn. In 1983, he graduated from the University of Tartu in Estonian philology. From 1983 to 1991, he worked as an editor for Est ...

Sven Kivisildnik Sven Kivisildnik (citizen name Sven Sildnik; born in 1964 in Rakvere) is an Estonian writer, journalist and politician. He has studied journalism at University of Tartu. He is a member of two literary groups: Hirohall and Estonian Kostabi-$ocie ...

Lydia Koidula Lydia Emilie Florentine Jannsen, ( – ), known by her pen name Lydia Koidula, was an Estonian poet. Her sobriquet means 'Lydia of the Dawn' in Estonian. It was given to her by the writer Carl Robert Jakobson. She is also frequently referred to ...

Ilmi Kolla Ilmi Kolla (4 April 1933 Pärnu – 18 December 1954 Tallinn) was an Estonian poet. In 1950, she become a member of the Pärnu department of the Young Authors' Association. In 1952, she worked on the editorial board of the youth newspaper '' Säd ...

Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald ( – ) was an Estonian writer who is considered to be the father of the national literature for the country. He is the author of Estonian national epic ''Kalevipoeg''. Life Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald's pare ...

* Jaan Kross *

Erni Krusten Erni Krusten (30 April 1900 – 16 June 1984) was an Estonian writer. He was born Ernst Krustein in Muraste, Harku Parish, in a gardening family, and worked as a gardener himself. In 1920 he began to pursue writing and his first book was pu ...

* Asko Künnap

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Ilmar Laaban Ilmar Laaban, (11 December 1921, Tallinn, Estonia – 29 November 2000, Stockholm) was an Estonian poet and literary critic. Early life and education Laaban attended the first Tallinn Boys' Gymnasium from 1934 to 1940. In 1939–1940 and ...

* Uno Laht *

Leonhard Lapin Leonhard Lapin (29 December 1947 – 28 February 2022), also known under the pseudonym Albert Trapeež, was an Estonian architect, artist, architecture historian, and poet. Biography Emeritus Professor at Estonian Academy of Arts, Lapin was a ...

* Eha Lättemäe *

Kalju Lepik Kalju Lepik (7 October 1920, in Koeru Parish – 30 May 1999, in Tallinn) was an Estonian poet who lived as an exile for most of his life. Kalju Lepik published his first poems in 1939 in Tartu students' journals Iloli and Tuleviku Rajad ('The ...

* Juhan Liiv * Martin Lipp *

Viivi Luik Viivi Luik (born 6 November 1946, in Tänassilma, Estonia) is an Estonian writer and poet. Life From 1965 to 1967, Luik studied at the Tallinn extramural secondary school, working at the same time as a librarian. In 1970, Luik joined the Esto ...

M

Uku Masing Uku Masing (born Hugo Albert Masing, 11 August 1909 – 25 April 1985) was an Estonian philosopher. He was a significant figure in Estonian religious philosophy. Masing also wrote poetry, mostly on religious issues. Masing authored one novel, ''R ...

Kersti Merilaas Kersti Merilaas ( in Narva – 8 March 1986 in Tallinn) was an Estonian poet and translator. In addition, she wrote poems and prose for children and plays. Early life and education Kersti Merilaas was born Eugenie Moorberg in Narva, Estonia shor ...

* Arvo Mets *

Ene Mihkelson Ene Mihkelson (21 October 1944 in Tammeküla, Imavere Parish, Viljandi County – 20 September 2017 in Tartu) was an Estonian writer. She was a recipient of the Herder Prize and the Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature. Education Mihkelson st ...

Mikk Murdvee Mikk Murdvee (born March 20, 1980) is an Estonian-Finnish Conductor (music), conductor and violinist living in Helsinki, Finland. Education Mikk Murdvee was born in Tallinn. He studied violin in Tallinn Music High School (1986–1998), Estonian ...

Kalle Muuli Kalle Muuli (born 10 January 1958 in Tapa) is an Estonian journalist, poet and politician. He was a member of XIII Riigikogu XIII Riigikogu was the thirteenth legislature of Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu The Riigikogu (; from Estonian ''r ...

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Ellen Niit Ellen Niit (born Ellen Hiob; Ellen Niit since 1958) (13 July 1928 – 30 May 2016) was an Estonian children's writer, poet and translator. Over her lifetime, she penned more than forty books of both prose and poetry for children. She also wrot ...

Minni Nurme Minni Katharina Nurme (born 30 October 1917 in Aidu, Viljandi County, Aidu Parish, today Viljandi Parish, Viljandi County; died 22 November 1994 in Tallinn) was an Estonian writer. Life and career Born Minni Neumann, Nurme graduated from the gir ...

O

Sulev Oll Sulev Oll (born March 17, 1964) is an Estonian journalist, sports historian and poet. He has worked for ''Postimees'', a major Estonian newspaper. and is mentioned in the Estonian national biography. As a journalist and writer he is noted for his ...

* Tõnu Õnnepalu

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* Jaan Pehk * Kristjan Jaak Peterson

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Alexis Rannit Alexis Rannit (born Alexey Konstantinovich Dolgoshev - Алексей Константинович Долгошев; Estonian: Aleksis Rannit; 14 October 1914 – 5 January 1985) was an Estonian poet, critic and literature researcher. Biograp ...

* Eno Raud * Mart Raud *

Karl Ristikivi Karl Ristikivi (; in Pärnumaa, Saulepi Parish, Lääne County (now Kilgi, Varbla Parish, Pärnu County) – 19 July 1977 in Solna, Stockholm) was an Estonian writer. He is among the best Estonian writers for his historical novels. Early lif ...

Jürgen Rooste Jürgen Rooste (born in 1979 in Tallinn) is an Estonian poet. He has been graduated from Tallinn Pedagogical University in Estonian language speciality. Awards: * 1999: Betti Alver Elisabet "Betti" Alver ( in Jõgeva – 19 June 1989 in Tar ...

Andrus Rõuk Andrus Rõuk (born 28 September 1957, in Tallinn) is an Estonian artist and poet. In 1981, in the 9th number of the literary journal ''Looming'' his poem "Silmades taevas ja meri" ("In the eyes sky and sea") appeared. It is an acrostic: the fi ...

Paul-Eerik Rummo Paul-Eerik Rummo (born January 19, 1942) is an Estonian poet, playwright, translator and politician who was the former Estonian Minister of Culture and Education, as well as the former Estonian Minister of Population Affairs. Rummo was born in T ...

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August Sang August Sang (27 July 1914 – 14 October 1969) was an Estonian poet and literary translator.Marcel Cornis-Pope, John Neubauer, ''History of the literary cultures of East-Central Europe: junctures and disjunctures in the 19th and 20th centuries, ...

Johannes Semper Johannes Semper ( – 21 February 1970) was an Estonian poet, writer, translator and politician. He was born in Pahuvere (now Viljandi Parish), Kreis Fellin, in the Governorate of Livonia. A student and later a prominent scholar at the Universi ...

Karl Martin Sinijärv Karl Martin Sinijärv (born 4 June 1971) is an Estonian journalist and poet. Sinijärv was born in Tallinn. By 2011, he had published 8 poetry books and a cookbook. His poetry has been characterized as etnofuturist, bringing estrangement of lan ...

Juhan Smuul Juhan Smuul (18 February 1922 – 13 April 1971) was an Estonian writer. Until 1954 he used the given name Johannes Schmuul. Career Smuul was born in Koguva village on the island of Muhu to Jüri and Ruudu Schmuul (née Tuulik). He had three ...

Lauri Sommer Lauri Sommer (born Lauri Soomere, 2 April 1973 in Viljandi) is an Estonian writer, literary scholar, translator and musician. In the 1990s, he was a member of literary group Erakkond. In 2004, he published the music album "Piimaš". In 2021, ...

Eric Stenbock Count Eric Stanislaus (or Stanislaus Eric) Stenbock ( at Thirlestaine Hall (Cheltenham) – at Withdeane Hall in Brighton) was a Baltic Swedish poet and writer of macabre fantastic fiction. Life Stenbock was the count of Bogesund and the heir ...

Gustav Suits Gustav Suits ( in Võnnu, Tartu County, Livonia – 23 May 1956 in Stockholm, Sweden) is considered one of the greatest Estonian poets.W. K. Matthews, ''The Background and Poetry of Gustav Suits. A Study in Estonian Symbolism'', American Slavic a ...

Juhan Sütiste Juhan Sütiste (until 1936 Johannes Schütz; 28 December 1899 Tähtvere Parish, Tartu County – 10 February 1945 Tallinn) was an Estonian poet. During Estonian War of Independence, he belonged to the reserve battalion of Tartu schoolteachers. 1 ...

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Jüri Talvet Jüri Talvet (born 17 December 1945, in Pärnu) is an Estonian poet and academic. He is the author of various literary works including poetry, criticism, and essays. Education Talvet received his MA degree in English philology from the Universit ...

Heiti Talvik Heiti Talvik (9 November 1904 – 18 July 1947) was an Estonian poet. Life and literary career Heiti Talvik's father was a family doctor based in Tartu and his mother was a pianist. In 1923 he left the school early and initially sought work ...

* Tarmo Teder *

Tiia Toomet Tiia Toomet (born 9 February 1947) is an Estonian writer and poet. Toomet was born in Tallinn. She graduated from the University of Tartu, studying history. She also graduated from the State Art Institute (now the Estonian Academy of Arts The Es ...

* Mats Traat * Tõnu Trubetsky * Leelo Tungal * Ülo Tuulik

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Kauksi Ülle Kauksi Ülle (born Ülle Kahusk 23 September 1962) is an Estonian writer. Life and work Kauksi Ülle sees herself as a South Estonian writer who is closely connected to the customs and history of South Estonia. Therefore, according to the tradi ...

* Marie Under * Jaak Urmet

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Debora Vaarandi Debora Vaarandi (born Debora Trull; 1 October 1916 – 28 April 2007) was an Estonian writer, considered to be a leading literary figure in post-World War II Estonia. Many of her poems were set to music. Vaarandi was a recipient of the firs ...

Kätlin Vainola Kätlin Vainola (born 30 September 1978 in Tallinn) is a contemporary Estonian children’s writer and poet. She sometimes uses the pen name Marie Myrk. Biography Born in Tallinn, she spent her earliest years in the subdistrict of Kopli before ...

* Aidi Vallik * Arvo Valton * Johannes Vares *

Mihkel Veske Mihkel Veske ( – ) was an Estonian poet and linguist.Henno Jänes, ''Geschichte der estnischen Literatur'', p48. Life Mihkel Veske was born in Veske farm, Holstre Parish (now in Metsla village, Viljandi Parish), Viljandi County in norther ...

* Enn Vetemaa *

Elo Viiding Elo Viiding (pen name, Elo Vee; born 20 March 1974) is an Estonian poet and prose writer. Family Viiding is the third poet in her family. Her father, Juhan Viiding was a famous and influential poet in the 1970s. He was also an actor. Her patern ...

Juhan Viiding Juhan Viiding (1 June 1948 – 21 February 1995), also known under the pseudonym of Jüri Üdi was an Estonian poet and actor. Personal life Juhan Viiding was born on 1 June 1948 in Tallinn to Paul Viiding, a well-known poet in Estonia who h ...

Paul Viiding Paul Viiding (22 May 1904 – 27 June 1962) was an Estonian poet, author and literary critic. Born in Valga, to Juhan and Ann Viiding (''née'' Rose), he was the oldest of two children; his sister Linda was born in 1907. He graduated with a de ...

Heiki Vilep Heiki Vilep (born 27 March 1960 in Tartu) is an Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west ...

* Henrik Visnapuu * Peeter Volkonski

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Wimberg Jaak Urmet ( pseudonym: Wimberg; born 30 January 1979, in Saku) is an Estonian writer. Jaak Urmet studied Estonian philology and history (from 1997 to 2002) at the Tallinn Pedagogical University and from 2002 to 2004 literary theory (the sam ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Estonian poets List of Estonian poets

Estonian Estonian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Estonia, a country in the Baltic region in northern Europe * Estonians, people from Estonia, or of Estonian descent * Estonian language * Estonian cuisine * Estonian culture See also

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Poets A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator (thought, thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral t ...