Letts
a branch of the Lithuanian race, who in manners, customs, and mode of living do not differ much from the Lithuanians proper. They live in South Livonia, Pskov, Courland, and Vitebsk, and in the N. of Kovno in Russia. There are also colonies of them in Prussia, Brazil, and the United States. Early converted to Christianity by the Teutonic Knights, they are now Lutherans, though some 50,000 have been won over to the Greek Church. In Russia they are principally engaged in agriculture and have made great progress intellectually and socially. They have a literature comprising now (1920) over 2,500 works and support 10 periodicals.
Large numbers fought with the Bolsheviks in the revolution of 1917, and represented in the army of the Soviet Republic. After the peace of Versailles in 1919 the Letts established an independent State of Latvia.