Lydia Koidula

About

Nineteenth-century Estonian poet and playwright who was nicknamed "Koidulaulik" ("Singer of the Dawn"). Her notable literary works include Emajoe Oobik, Vainulilled, and Saaremaa Onupoeg.

Before Fame

She attended grammar school in Parnu, Estonia. In her adult years, she lived near St. Petersburg, Russia.

Trivia

Her best-known poem, "Emajõe Ööbik" ("The Nightingale of the Mother River"), was published in 1867.

Family Life

Her father, Johann Voldemar Jannsen, established an Estonian newspaper in Parnu. She married a Latvian military doctor and gave birth to three children.

Associated With

She was born in the same country as fellow poet Mats Traat.