The role of the Riga Latvian Society in the life of students and graduates of the Riga Polytechnicum / Riga Polytechnic Institute (1862–1919)

Abstract

The Riga Latvian Society (RLS) is the oldest Latvian organization in the world, where students, graduates and academic staff from oldest universities in the territory of Latvia – the Riga Polytechnicum (RP), from 1896 – the Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI), had worked. The activities of the Society and its members have been diverse and varied, and their results are different, too. The heritage preserved for the future is books compiled and translated by Latvians that are well-known folk historical and cultural values, and new educated, patriotic generations of Latvians. Poor students were supported as much as possible, enabling them to achieve their chosen goals and contribute to Latvia’s economic and national development, culture and education. The 150th anniversary of the RLS, the collaboration of the Society with the RP / RPI students, graduates and academic staff until 1919, has been studied.