Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics

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Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics (5 February 1887, Durbe - 22 August 1925, near Tukums) was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia (19 November 1918 - 25 January 1925) and later held the office of Prime Minister of Latvia twice (19 June 1921 – 26 January 1923 and 28 June 1923 – 26 January, 1924. He was one of the founders of the Latvian Farmers' Union.

Early life

Meierovics was born into the family of a Jewish doctor and his Latvian wife Anna, who died in childbirth. His father became mentally ill and therefore young Meierovics grew up with his uncle's family in Sabile. He studied at the Riga Polytechnicum.

Career

After 1911 Meierovics belonged to various Latvian organizations, notably the Riga Latvian Society. During World War I he worked in the Latvian Refugee Committee and the organizing committee of the Latvian Riflemen units. After the February Revolution he moved to Riga to work as a professional politician. In 11 November 1918, while working for the Latvian National council, he received written confirmation that the United Kingdom acknowledged the de facto statehood of Latvia. Meierovics became the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia on 19 November 1918, a day after the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed. He was a member of the Latvian Popular Council, the Constitutional Assembly of Latvia and the 1st Saeima.