Miklukho-Maclay - traveler, ethnographer

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Anatol
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Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:13 pm

Miklukho-Maclay - traveler, ethnographer

Post by Anatol » Sat Apr 16, 2022 7:12 pm

Nikolai Nikolaevich Miklukho-Maclay (1846-1888). It is probably significant that the future great traveler was born in the family of a railway engineer. Having changed many places of service, Nikolai's father died without having served his pension. The family was in a difficult financial situation. Studying at the gymnasium was difficult. Without completing the course, Nikolai entered the university as a volunteer. However, he was soon forced to leave not only the university, but also Russia because of his participation in the revolutionary movement.
Mother found money to study in Germany. He studies in Heidelberg, Leipzig, Jena, where he studies medicine, natural science, and applied sciences. As a student, Nikolai went on an expedition to the Canary Islands and North Africa (1867). This determined his future calling.
Miklukho-Maclay writes scientific articles, travels, intends to take part in a polar expedition. Despite chronic lack of money, he goes to Sicily (1868), where he studies the life of marine organisms. Further, the path of the explorer lies to the shores of the Red Sea (1869). On expeditions, Nikolai Nikolayevich fell ill with malaria, which pursued him until the end of his life.
Returning to Russia, Miklouho-Maclay continued to engage in science. He was accepted into the ranks of the Russian Geographical Society.
In Russia, the scientist managed to convince the scientific community of the need to study lands in equatorial latitudes. The Russian fleet did not plan its stay in the South Seas. The scientist managed to find and interest patrons. The ship "Vityaz" specifically changed its route so that the scientist could begin his activities. A journey began to New Guinea, where he spent 2 years. During this time, he got along with the natives, having studied their way of life and rituals.
The shore on which he descended is named after him, “Maclay Coast”, in honor of the first European to set foot on this land.
European scientists considered the indigenous population of the island to be a transitional type between apes and humans. Having lived for more than a year among these cannibals, Maclay managed to win them over, becoming famous all over the coast. He conducted a series of studies that showed the absurdity of the point of view of European science on the natives.
The Papuans called Miklukho-Maclay "Karam-Tamo", a man from the moon, or "Tamo-Rus" - a Russian man.
In 1873-77, Nikolai Nikolayevich traveled a lot around the islands of Oceania. The disease forced him to settle in Australia, where the traveler founded a biological station.
The great authority of Miklukha among the natives made it possible for the Russian General Staff to consider the issue of colonizing the island. However, the protectorate was not established. According to some reports, the Germans used the services of Muklukho-Maclay, who took control of part of the “Maclay Coast”.
The scientist returned to Russia with the richest material and the theory of the unity of species and the relationship of all human races. Years spent on expeditions undermined the health of the scientist, and he died of cancer in the spring of 1888. After his death, the traveler's diaries and a five-volume collected works were published. And the Gold Medal named after him is awarded by the Russian Geographical Society for research and travel.
On the postcard: Sailing boats near the village of Male. The drawing was made by N.N. Miklukho-Maclay during the expedition to New Guinea. 1870
Russia 2021;.
Source: https://kratkoe.com/mikluho-maklay-kratkaya-biografiya
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