List of Lithuanian rulers

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Template:Politics of Lithuania The following is a list of Lithuanian rulers - kings, grand dukes, governors and presidents of Lithuania or administrative units, that encompassed the territory of Lithuania during the periods of occupations.

The incumbents and officehoders are listed by names most commonly used in English language sources. Where appropriate, the alternations in Lithuanian, Ruthenian (later Belarusian) and Polish languages are included.

For rulers of dukedoms that were unified into Grand Duchy of Lithuania, see List of early Lithuanian dukes.

Contents

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The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (1236-1569)

Title: Grand Duke (Template:Lang-lt; Template:Lang-be; Template:Lang-pl) except Mindaugas who became king (Template:Lang-lt)

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Early Grand Dukes (1236–1291)

Dates are approximate

Term Incumbent Lithuanian name Ruthenian name Polish name Remarks
1236 to 1263 Mindaugas Mindaugas Mindouh Mendog Initially Grand Duke, since 1253 King of Lithuania, lost the title in 1262 upon returning to paganism, but changed the title to Grand Duke; killed by his nephew Treniota
1263 to 1264 Treniota Son of Skirmantas
1264 to 1267 Vaišvilkas Vaišvilkas Vojszalak Son of Mindaugas, died heirless
1267 to 1269 Švarnas Švarnas Shvarno
1269 to 1281 Traidenis Traidenis Trajdzien Trojden
1281 to 1285 Daumantas Daumantas Dowmont Dowmont
1285 to 1291 Butegeidis Butegeidis alias Butigeidis Budzikid Budzikid Ancestor of the later Gediminid dynasty
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House of Gediminaičiai (1291-1440)

Some dates are approximate

Term Incumbent Lithuanian name Ruthenian name Polish name Remarks
1291 Butvydas Butvydas alias Budvydas Lutavier Budwid Brother of Butigeidis, father of Vytenis and Gediminas
1295-1316 Vytenis Vytenis Witenes Son of Butvydas
1316-1341 Gediminas Gediminas Giedymin, Hedymin Giedymin Son of Butvydas. crowned as King of Lithuanians and Ruthenians in 1316, after his death the domain divided between his 7 sons
1341-1345 Jaunutis Jaunutis Jewnut Jewnuta Son of Gediminas. Overlord and Grand Duke, deposed by his brothers Algirdas and Kęstutis
1345-1377 Algirdas Algirdas Olgierd Olgierd Son of Gediminas.
1377-1381 Jogaila Jogaila Jahajla Władysław II Jagiełło Son of Algirdas. Crowned the King of Poland in 1386 and established the personal union of Lithuania and Poland. Founder of the House of Jogailaičiai.
1381-1382 Kęstutis Kęstutis Kiejstut Kiejstut Son of Gediminas, ruler the Western Lithuania (with capital in Trakai), constantly fighting the Teutonic Knights. Deposed Jogaila in 1381 and took control of the whole Lithuania, only to be captured and killed by him next year.
1382-1392 Jogaila Jogaila Jahajla Władysław II Jagiełło Governor in Lithuania waas Skirgaila (1387-1392), then Vytautas.
1392-1430 Vytautas Vytautas Didydis Vitaut Witold Son of Kestutis. After father was killed, sided with Teutonic knights against Jogaila, then changed sides and became Jogaila's governor in Lithuana. Grand Duke since 1401. Was to be crowned King of Lithuania in 1429, but the crown was stopped by Polish. Died before second crown arrived.
1430-1432 Švitrigaila Švitrigaila Svidryhajla Świdrygiełło Son of Algirdas, brother of Jogaila. Deposed by followers of Zygimantas son of Kestutis
1432-1440 Sigismund, son of Kestutis Žygimantas Kęstutatis Zygimont I Kejstutavicz Zygmunt Kiejstutowicz Son of Kestutis, brother of Vytautas.
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Personal Union with Poland under House of Jogailaičiai (1440–1572)

The act of personal union with Poland was signed as early as 1385, however, continuos line of common rulers of the two countries started only with Casimir IV (even then Polish and Lithuanians twice selected diferent rulers following earlier common monarch's death, but the Lithuanian one always eventually assumed Polish throne). The monarchs retained separate titles for both parts of the state, and their numbering was kept separately.

The Jogailaičiai house was direct continuation of the Gediminaičiai.

Term Incumbent Lithuanian name Ruthenian name Polish name Remarks
1440-1492Casimir IVKazimieras I JogailaitisKazimir JahelonczykKazimierz IV Jagiellończyk Son of Jogaila. Elected and crowned King of Poland in 1447 after the death of king Władysław
1492-1506 Alexander I Aleksandras IAlaksandrAleksander I Son of Casimir IV. Elected and crowned King of Poland in 1501 after the death of king Jan I Olbracht
1506-1548 Sigismund I the Old Žygimantas Senasis Žygimont II Stary Zygmunt I Stary Son of Casimir IV.
1548-1572 Sigismund II Augustus Žygimantas Augustas Žygimont III August Zygmunt II August Son of Sigismund I the Old. Factual ruler since 1529.
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Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795)

The union was established with 1569 treaty of Union of Lublin. The elected King of Poland was automatically made the Grand Duke of Lithuania (until then Lithuanian dukedom was hereditary).

The first ruler of the common country was Sigismund II Augustus.

Title: King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (Template:Lang-lt; Template:Lang-pl)

Term Incumbent Lithuanian name Ruthenian name Polish name House Remarks
1573-1574Henry III de ValoisHenrikas Valua Anry ValuaHenryk Walezyde ValoisHe abandoned the throne and fled to France where he was crowned as Henri III
1576-1586Stephen BathorySteponas BatorasStiapan BaturaStefan BatoryBáthory
1587-1632 Sigismund III Zigmantas IV Vaza Žyhimont III Vaza Zygmunt III Waza Vasa Proponent of a personal union between The Republic and Sweden, King of Sweden between 1592 and 1599
1632-1648 Ladislaus IV Vasa Vladislovas II Vaza Uladzislaǔ I Vaza Władysław IV Waza Vasa
1648-1668 John II Casimir Vasa Jonas I Kazimieras Vaza Jan Kazimier Vaza Jan Kazimierz Vasa Abdicated and became a monk, last of the Vasa dynasty in Poland-Lithuania
1669-1673 Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki Mykolas I Kaributas Vošnioveckis Michał Karybut Wišniaviecki Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki Polish szlachta
1674-1696 John III Sobieski Jonas II Sobieskis Jan III Sobieski Polish szlachta
1697-1706 Augustus II the Strong Augustas II Saksas Aǔhust II Mocny August II Mocny Wettin also Elector of Saxony as Frederick Augustus I
1706-1709 Stanisław Leszczyński Stanislovas I Leščinskis Stanisław Leszczyński Polish szlachta War of Polish Succession
1709-1733 Augustus II the Strong Augustas II Saksas Aǔhust II Mocny August II Mocny Wettin also Elector of Saxony as Frederick Augustus I
1733-1736Stanisław LeszczyńskiStanislovas I Leščinskis Stanisław LeszczyńskiPolish szlachtaWar of Polish Succession
1733-1763August III WettinAugustas III SaksasAugust III SasAugust III SaskiWettin
1764-1795Stanisław August PoniatowskiStanislovas II Augustas Poniatovskis Stanisław August PoniatowskiPolish szlachtaDuring his reign the merger of the Grand Duchy with the Kingdom of Poland was passed in 1791; abdicated following the Partitions of Poland; died in exile in Russia
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Imperial Russian occupation (1795-1914)

In Imperial Russia, Lithuania was part of Northwestern Krai. Its territory was mostly in Vilnius (Vilenskaya), Kaunas (Kovenskaya) and Hrodno (Grodnenskaya) Guberniyas. Administration boundaries were constantly shifting. The land was ruled by governor-generals of Lithuanian guberniya, gevernors and governor-generals and of Lithuanian-Vilnius gubernya, then generalgubernator of Vilenskaya gubernya.

The position was cancelled in 1912.

Title: governor-general (Template:Lang-lt; Template:Lang-ru)
Title: governor (Template:Lang-lt; Template:Lang-ru)

Term Officeholder Remarks
1794-1797 Nikolay Repin
1797-1798 Yakov Bulgakov
1798-1799 Boris Lassi
1799-1801 Mikhail Kutuzov
1801-1806 Leonty Bennigsen
1806-1809 Aleksander Rimski-Korsakov
1809-1812 Mikhail Kutuzov
1812-1830 Aleksander Rimski-Korsakov
1830-1831 Aleksander Khrapovitsky
1831-1840 Nikolay Dolgorukov
1840-1850 Fedor Mirkovich
1850-1855 Ilya Bibikov
1855-1863 Vladimir Nazimov
1863-1865 Mikhail Muravyov appointed to suppress an uprising; became known as "hangman of Vilnius"
1865-1866 Konstantin Kaufman
1866-1868 Eduard Baranov
1868-1874 Aleksandr Potapov
1874-1880 Petr Albedinsky
1880-1884 Eduard Totleben
1884-1893 Ivan Kakhanov
1893-1897 Petr Orzhevsky
1897-1901 Vitaly Trotsky
1902-1904 Petr Svyatopolk-Mirsky
1904-1906 Aleksander Freze
1906-1909 Konstantin Krishivitsky
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World War I and subsequent power struggles (1914-1923)

Lithuania was occupied by Germany at the very beginning of the war, as part of Imperial Russia. As both Imperial Russia and German Empire collapsed in 1917-18, the region was became a prize that several fighting fractions fighted over. The battle was won by mostly won by proponents of Lithuanian national state, except Vilnius region, which was taken over by Poland, and Klaipėda Region, which was as Freistaat in 1920-1923 before being attached to Lithuania after Klaipėda Revolt.

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German occupation during World War I (1914-1918)

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The Kingdom of Lithuania (1918)

The country was created in 1918 by the Central Powers as part of German/Austrian Mitteleuropa plan, which was cancelled after the German defeat in World War I. As the German defeat draw nearer, the council changed Lithuania's constitution into republic on November 2, 1918.

Title: King (Template:Lang-lt; Template:Lang-de)

Term Incumbent Remarks
1918 Mindaugas II Never actually assumed his powers. Elected by Lithuanian Council on July 9, 1918, with condition that he learns Lithuanian language.
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Early Soviet Lithuania (1918-1919)

Term Officeholder Remarks
December 16, 1918-February 20, 1919 Vincas Mickevicius-Kapsukas Chairman of revolutionary government (Sovnarkom)
February 20, 1919-September 1, 1919 Kazimierz Cichowski Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Congress of Soviets, corresponds to head of parliament
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Central Lithuania (1920-1922)

Semi-independend state established in Vilnius region by occupying Polish forces. Merged into Poland in 1922, where the region remained until 1939.

Term Officeholder Remarks
October 12, 1920-November 30, 1921 Lucjan Zeligowski effective military dictator
November 30, 1921-March 24, 1922 Aleksander Meysztowicz Chairman of the Provisional Commission of Government
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Klaipėda Region (1920-1923)

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Republic of Lithuania (1918-1940)

Title: President (Template:Lang-lt)

Term Officeholder Remarks
April 4, 1919-June 19, 1920 Antanas Smetona
June 19, 1920-June 7, 1926 Aleksandras Stulginskis Until assuming his duties as elected President in December 21, 1922 was acting President (as the leader of Parliament). Reelected in June, 1923.
June 7, 1926-December 18, 1926 Kazys Grinius Elected by the parliament, but overthrown by a military coup d'etat
December 18, 1926-December 19, 1926 Jonas Staugaitis Formally, for one day, as the head of Seimas (renounced the office after the coup d'etat)
December 19, 1926 Aleksandras Stulginskis Formally, as the new head of Seimas, only for several hours
December 19, 1926-June 15, 1940 Antanas Smetona Second term, elected president after a military coup d'etat; after the Soviet ultimatum of 1940 he defected to Germany and then to the USA
June 15, 1940-June 17, 1940 Antanas Merkys The Prime Minister, de facto acting president after Smetona's defection. Not recognised by Lithuanian diplomats abroad; he assumed the role of president illegally, as Antanas Smetona did not resign nor died.
June 17, 1940-July 21, 1940 Justas Paleckis Chosen unconstitutionally by leaders of Lithuanian communists under pressure from the Soviet Union, not recognized internationally nor by the Lithuanian diplomatic service
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World War II and preceding events (1940-1944)

The country was first occupied by Soviet Union in 1940, in accordance with "territorial and political rearrangements" it agreed with Nazi Germany in 1939 (German's occupation of Poland, which formally triggered the World War II, was also part of the "rearrangements"). At this point Vilnius region was reunited with the country.

As German-USSR war started in 1941, the country was immediatelly occupied by German forces. As the army were drawing near, June revolt against Soviets took place, formally restoring Republic of Lithuania. The occuping German forces showed no intention to let it exist, causing the provisional government to disband itself.

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First Soviet occupation (1940-1941)

Title: The First Secretary of the central comity of Communist Party of Lithuania (Template:Lang-lt; Template:Lang-ru)

Term Officeholder Remarks
July 21, 1940-June 24, 1941 Antanas Sniečkus First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Lithuanian SSR. Fled the country in 1941
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Republic of Lithuania (1941)

Title: Prime Minister (Template:Lang-lt)

Term Officeholder Remarks
June 24, 1941-August 7, 1941 Juozas Ambrazevičius
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German occupation during World War II (1941-1944)

The land was part of Reichskommissariat Ostland.

Term Officeholder Remarks
June 24, 1941-July 4, 1941 Fedor von Bock Commander of Army Group Centre
July 4, 1941-August 31, 1941 Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb Commander of Army Group North
August 31, 1941-July 13, 1944 Adrian von Renteln Generalkommissar. Supervised massacre of tenths of thousand Lithuanian Jews and other local population. Captured by Soviets and hanged in 1946.
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Second Soviet occupation (1944-1990)

Soviet Union reoccupied the country in 1944, as the Nazi Germans were retreating. The Klaipeda region, lost in 1939 to Nazi Germany, was reattached to Lithuania in 1945.

Title: The First Secretary of the central comity of Communist Party of Lithuania (Template:Lang-lt; Template:Lang-ru)

Term Officeholder Remarks
July 13, 1944-January 22, 1974 Antanas Sniečkus
February 18, 1974-November 14, 1987 Petras Griškevičius
December 1, 1987-October 19, 1988 Ringaudas Bronislovas Songaila First leader of the party to be deposed of his power (all previous held office until their death).
October 19, 1988-March 11, 1990 Algirdas Brazauskas Lost the power as the Independence was declared.
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Republic of Lithuania (from 1990)

The leader of the Parliament was the official head of state from declaration of Independence in 1990 until the new Constitution came into force in 1992 thus establishing the office of President.

The state and its leadership was not recognized internationally until September 1991.

Title 1990-1992: Chairmen of the Supreme Council (Parliament) (Template:Lang-lt)
Title 1992-onwards: President (Template:Lang-lt)

Term Officeholder Remarks
March 11, 1990-November 25, 1992 Vytautas Landsbergis As leader of the Parliament.
November 25, 1992-February 25, 1998 Algirdas Brazauskas First post-Soviet President. Acting President (as leader of Parliament) until February 25, 1993, by which time he won the first President elections. Didn't run for second elected term.
February 26, 1998-February 25, 2003 Valdas Adamkus Wasn't reelected for second turn.
February 26, 2003-April 6, 2004 Rolandas Paksas Impeached and removed from office.
April 6, 2004-July 12, 2004 Artūras Paulauskas As the leader of Parlament, temporarily performed the duties of the President until next election.
July 12, 2004- Valdas Adamkus
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Other rulers

These leaders didn't possess any political power

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Leadership of Republic of Lithuania in exile (1940-1991)

Leadership alternate to Soviet rule.

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Resistance leadership (1944-1953)

Leadership of anti-soviet guerillas after WWII.

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See also

fr:Liste des grands-ducs de Lituanie lt:Lietuvos Prezidentų sąrašas nl:Lijst van staatshoofden van Litouwen no:Litauens statsledere pl:Władcy Litwy pt:Lista de governantes da Lituânia ru:Список правителей Литвы uk:Список президентів Литви zh:立陶宛总统

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