Dr Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof
(1859-1917)

Died aged 57

L. L. Zamenhof (15 December 1859 – 14 April 1917) was an ophthalmologist who lived for most of his life in Warsaw. He is best known as the creator of Esperanto, the most widely used constructed international auxiliary language. Zamenhof first developed the Esperanto language in 1873 while still in school. He grew up fascinated by the idea of a world without war and believed that this could happen with the help of a new international auxiliary language. The language would be a tool to gather people together through neutral, fair, equitable communication. He successfully formed a community that continues today despite the World Wars of the 20th century, attempts to reform the language, and more modern IALs (the only other language like it at the time was Volapük). Additionally, Esperanto has developed like other languages: through the interaction and creativity of its users. In light of his achievements, and his support of intercultural dialogue, UNESCO selected Zamenhof as one of its eminent personalities of 2017, on the 100th anniversary of his death. As of 2019, there are a minimum of 2 million people speaking Esperanto, including an estimated 1,000 native speakers.

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Commemorated on 2 plaques

L. L. Zamenhof - Criador do Esperanto - III Seminário Esperantista 26, 27, 28 Julho 1968 Homenagem da Cooperativa Cultural dos Esperantistas ao sesquicentenário de Nova Friburgo, sendo prefeito Dr. Amâncio Mario de Azevedo - o esperanto aproxima os povos -

English translation: L. L. Zamenhof - Creator of Esperanto - Third Esperantista Seminary 26, 27, 28 July 1968. In tribute of the sixtieth anniversary of the Cultural Cooperative of Esperantistas in Nova Friburgo, presented by the Mayor Dr. Amâncio Mario de Azevedo - Esperanto approaches the people -

Praça Presidente Getúlio Vargas, Nova Friburgo, Brazil where they was

En tiu domo loĝis en 1905 L. L. Zamenhof, iniciatoro di linguo Esperanto

English translation: L. L. Zamenhof, the initiator of the Esperanto language, lived in this house in 1905

Rue du Vieux-Collège, Geneva, Switzerland where they lived (1905)