Friedrich Robert Faehlmann (Fählmann) (December 20, 1798—April 22 (April 10 (O.S.))[1], 1850) was an Estonian philologist, physician, and a noted Estophile, a co-founder of the Learned Estonian Society at the University of Tartu (then known as the Dorpat University) and its chairman (1843-1850).
Friedrich Faehlmann was born to the family of a former Russian serfdom, the manager of the Ao manor, Järva County, Estonia. In 1825 he graduated from the medical department of the University of Tartu. In 1827 he earned the M.D. degree and become a physician in Tartu. In addition he gave lectures in Estonian language in Tartu University (1842—1850).
Since 1820s he was interested in Estonian culture and in 1838 he became a co-founder of the Learned Estonian Society.
Fählmann brought attention to the Estonian folklore of Kalevipoeg, which after his death has become the Estonian national epic by the efforts of another estophile, Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald. He also recorded a number of tales of Estonian folklore.
Fählmann died of tuberculosis in Tartu.
In 1930 a bronze bust (sculptor V. Mellik) was installed in Tartu.[2]
In 1998 the Estonian Post issued a postmark in the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of his birth.[3][4]
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