Povilas Žadeikis (March 14, 1887 in Parešketis,

Kovno Governorate Kovno Governorate was an administrative-territorial unit (''guberniya'') of the Russian Empire, with its capital in Kovno (Kaunas). It was formed on 18 December 1842 by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, Nicholas I from the western part of Vilna Govern ...

– May 11, 1957 in the United States) was a representative of

Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...

in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

from 1934 until his death in 1957. He was replaced by Juozas Kajeckas, who in turn was replaced by Stasys Bačkis in 1976.
"The History of the Lithuanian Embassy Building in Washington D.C"

Career

During World War I Žadeikis served in the Russian army. From July to October 1919 he served as Minister of Defense in a cabinet formed by

Mykolas Sleževičius Mykolas Sleževičius (21 February 1882 – 11 November 1939) was a Lithuanian lawyer, political and cultural figure, and journalist. One of the most influential figures in inter-war Lithuania, he served as the prime minister of Lithuania on thr ...

. In 1920–1923 he served in military missions in the United States and France. In December 1923 he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was sent to consular services in the United States. He served as the First Consul in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

(1924–1928), Consul General in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

(1928–1934), and

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary An envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, usually known as a minister, was a diplomatic head of mission who was ranked below ambassador. A diplomatic mission headed by an envoy was known as a legation rather than an embassy. Under the ...

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

(1934–1957). Even when Lithuania lost its independence in 1940 to the

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

, Žadeikis remained in his post as lawful representative of Lithuania. He maintained contacts with other Lithuanian diplomats abroad and worked with Lithuanian organizations, such as

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 November 25, 1943, during the Nazi occupation. After World War II it moved abroad and continued its operat ...

(VLIK) and Lithuanian American Council.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zadeikis, Povilas 1887 births 1957 deaths People from Telšiai District Municipality People from Kovno Governorate Ministers of defence of Lithuania Ambassadors of Lithuania to the United States Baltic diplomatic missions