thumb|upright=0.7|Johann Voldemar Jannsen
Johann Voldemar Jannsen ( – ) was an Estonian journalist. He was one of the earliest figures of the Estonian national awakening, which he promoted through his newspaper, the Eesti Postimees, and two Estonian Song Festivals. He wrote the nationalist song "Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm", which became the national anthem of Estonia after its independence. Jannsen was the father of poet Lydia Koidula.
Early life
Johann Voldemar Jannsen was born in Vana-Vändra on 16 May 1819. His father was a miller who died while Jannsen was seven years old, so Jannsen was forced to herd cattle while attending school. He began working at the church in 1838, first as an organist before working as clerk. He was a member of the Moravian Church. He married in 1843 and became a schoolmaster, moving to Pärnu in 1850 to work at a school in the city.