Armenians have lived in Estonia ever since the 19th century, but the community began to form mainly in the 20th century. The first Armenians to go to Estonia were students from the University of Dorpat (now known as Tartu). In the 19th century and until 1918 many Armenians, including prominent Armenian writer, pedagogue, and founder of Eastern Armenian, Khachatur Abovyan, were educated at the university. The Armenian Students' Association "Armenia" operated at the university.