Abstract

The article is devoted to the history of the Department of Baltic Philology of the Faculty of Philology and Philosophy at the University of Latvia. The department was established in the academic year of 1920/1921 by professor Jānis Endzelīns, who also acted as head of the department throughout its existence. Using the documents available at the Latvian State Historical Archives and the Museum of the University of Latvia, as well as published memories, the article provides a characterization of the establishment process of this department as an unprecedented one among the universities around the globe. The article also describes study programmes and their development, students and graduates, academic personnel, international relations of the department and its reputation.