Kristjan Jaak Peterson

Kristjan Jaak Peterson
Statue of Kristian Jaak Peterson on Toome Hill, Tartu
Born(1801-03-14)14 March 1801
Riga, Latvia
Died4 August 1822(1822-08-04) (aged 21)
Riga, Latvia
Other namesChristian Jacob Petersohn
Occupationpoet
Known forfounder of modern Estonian poetry

Kristjan Jaak Peterson (14 March [O.S. 2 March] 1801, Riga4 August [O.S. 23 July] 1822, Riga), also known as Christian Jacob Petersohn, was an Estonian poet, commonly regarded as a herald of Estonian national literature and the founder of modern Estonian poetry.

His birthday on March 14 is celebrated in Estonia as Mother Tongue Day.