Edgar Valter Saks (January 25, 1910Tartu – April 11, 1984,Montreal) was anEstonian amateurhistorian and author. He was the Estonian exile government's minister of education in exile from 1971 until his death.
His bookThe Estonian Vikings: a Treatise on Finno-Ugric Viking Activities describes the ancient history of Estonians and otherFinnic peoples living on the shores of the Baltic Sea. His etymological works provide information about hypothetical extensive prehistoric Estonian settlement in Northern Europe. InEsto-Europa, Saks findsBaltic-Finnic influences in several regions of Europe. Constructing Estonian etymologies for many toponyms (incl.Warsaw andSumer), Saks reasoned there must have been extensive prehistoric Finnic influence not only in Europe, but also in neighbouring regions. His works, often based on outdated or incorrect sources, have been characterised aspseudohistory. LinguistUrmas Sutrop has referred to him as "fantasiser and author ofpseudoscientific history books".[1]
