Person

Martynas Mažvydas

c. 1510–1563 · 16th century

Martynas Mažvydas was a Lutheran pastor and the author of the first printed book in the Lithuanian language, a catechism published in Königsberg in 1547. Educated at the University of Königsberg, he served as a pastor in Ragainė in Ducal Prussia. His catechism, which includes a short primer and hymns, marks the beginning of Lithuanian written literature.

Martynas Mažvydas — Image: Martynas Mažvydas, who lived in 1510 (or 1520) – 1563. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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Grand Duchy of LithuaniaImpact

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APA: The Epoch Institute. (2026). Martynas Mažvydas. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/martynas-mazvydas
MLA: “Martynas Mažvydas.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/martynas-mazvydas. Accessed .
Chicago: The Epoch Institute. “Martynas Mažvydas.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/martynas-mazvydas.
Harvard: The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Martynas Mažvydas’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/martynas-mazvydas (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻