Jaan Poska VR III/1 (January 24, 1866, Laiusevälja, now in Jõgeva Parish, Jõgeva County, Estonia – March 7, 1920, Tallinn, Estonia) was an Estonian barrister and politician.
In 1890, Poska graduated from the faculty of Law of Tartu University, after that he worked as barrister in Tallinn. Jaan Poska was mayor of Tallinn during 1913–1917. In that position he supported reforms, like reforming healthcare and founding two schools. In April 1917, he became governor of the Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. November 28 (November 15) 1917 the Maapäev refused to recognize the new Bolshevik rule and proclaimed itself the supreme legal authority of Estonia. The Republic of Estonia formally declared independence on 24th February 1918, only to be occupied by the German Empire until the end of World War I.
On February 24, 1918, Poska was appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. He worked in Western Europe for gaining diplomatic recognition to Estonia and participated in Paris Peace Conference. He led the peace talks with Soviet Russia and achieved Treaty of Tartu which was signed in February 2, 1920.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Voldemar Lender |
Mayor of Tallinn 1913 – 1917 |
Succeeded by Gavriil Beljagin |
| Preceded by none |
Governor of
Estonia 1917 – 1918 |
Succeeded by Imperial German occupation |
| Preceded by (no such position) |
Minister of Foreign
Affairs February 24, 1918 – 1919 |
Succeeded by Ants Piip |
   | On This Day - 28 November 1917 - First World War.com - On This Day - 28 November 1917 |
| | Tartu rahu sepistaja Jaan Poska väärib monumenti (Estonian) - Kultuur ja Elu - kultuuriajakiri |
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