Peter Ernst Wilde facts for kids

Peter Ernst Wilde (born August 24, 1732 – died December 28, 1785) was a Baltic German doctor and a supporter of the Enlightenment movement. He was also an Estophile, meaning he loved and supported Estonian culture and language.

Wilde is best known for starting a printing house in Põltsamaa, Estonia. There, he printed the very first newspaper in the Estonian language, called Lühhike öppetus. This newspaper was published between 1766 and 1767. Later, in 1771, he helped create Arsti ramat, which was the first medical manual written in Estonian. He also lived in America for a short time.

Who Was Peter Ernst Wilde?

Peter Ernst Wilde was born in a place called Woedtke, near Treptow an der Rega. He passed away in Põltsamaa, Estonia, when he was 53 years old. He was an important person during the Age of Enlightenment, a time when people focused on reason and new ideas.

Wilde's Contributions to Estonian Culture

Peter Ernst Wilde played a big part in helping the Estonian language and culture grow. Before his time, many books and newspapers were not available in Estonian. He changed that by setting up his own printing house.

The First Estonian Newspaper

One of Wilde's most important achievements was printing Lühhike öppetus. This was the first newspaper ever published in the Estonian language. It helped spread information and new ideas to Estonian-speaking people. It was a big step for the language and for sharing knowledge.

A Pioneer in Estonian Medicine

Wilde also helped create Arsti ramat. This book was the first medical guide written in Estonian. It meant that people could read about health and medicine in their own language. This was very helpful for doctors and ordinary people alike.