author
Peter Saurusaitis
A Lithuanian-born Catholic priest and writer, he left behind a vivid firsthand account of post-World War I Lithuania and also compiled an early English-Lithuanian dictionary for immigrant readers. His surviving books feel practical and personal, shaped by faith, language, and exile.
1 Audiobook
Thirty Days in Lithuania in 1919
by Peter Saurusaitis
About the author
Known in print as Rev. Peter P. Saurusaitis, he was a Lithuanian-born Catholic priest who served in the United States and wrote for readers interested in Lithuania and the Lithuanian immigrant experience. Records for his books show two main works that still circulate today: An Abridged Dictionary of the English-Lithuanian Languages from 1899 and Thirty Days in Lithuania in 1919 from 1920.
His dictionary suggests a practical side to his work, helping English and Lithuanian speakers meet across everyday language. His later book is more personal: a travel narrative and eyewitness account based on a trip to Lithuania from August 30, 1919, to February 16, 1920, during a tense period just after World War I.
Local historical material from Waterbury, Connecticut, also identifies him as a priest connected with the Lithuanian Catholic community there. Even from the small amount of verified information available, his writing stands out for bringing together religion, migration, and a close-up view of Lithuanian life in a turbulent era.