“The last manuscript, discovered and researched by Mr. Erdmann, is not known in Europe at all” (Chr. D. Frähn): Orientalist Franz Erdmann at Kazan University and his Heritage (1818‒1845)

Abstract

The article presents a brief overview of the main milestones in the biography of Fyodor Ivanovich Erdmann, also known as Friedrich Franz Ludwig Erdmann (1795-1862). The authors pay special attention to the main stages of his pedagogical and scholarly pursuits at Kazan University (1818-1845). After Chr.D. Frähn (1782-1851), Erdmann became the second visiting German professor of Oriental literature at the university and one of the last students of the famous German orientalist O.G. Tychsen (1734-1815). In 1819, at the age of 24, F.I. Erdmann moved to Kazan, Russia. During the first half of the XIX century, the invitation of representatives of European universities and various peoples of the Russian Empire to the city became an important academic and humanistic tradition that contributed to the development of Oriental studies at Kazan University. Following his dismissal from the university on May 11, 1845, Professor F.I. Erdmann was appointed Director of schools in Olonets region on February 7, 1847. Two months later, on April 8, 1847, Erdmann was transferred to the post of Director of schools in Novgorod region, a post which he held until his dismissal from service on August 20, 1855. Upon his death on November 14, 1862, the academic was buried in Kazan.