From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Friedrich R. Fählmann

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.

Publications

• M.D. dissertation "Observationes inflammationum occultiorum" (1827)
• "Versuch einer neuen Anordnung der Conjunctionen in der estnischen Sprache" (1842)
• "Ueber die Declination der estnischen Nomina" (1844)
• "Die Ruhrepidemie in Dorpat im Herbst 1846" (1846)
• "Verhandlungen der Gelehrten estnischen Gesellschaft" (1852)

In memoriam

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]

References and notes

1. ^ At these times Estonia was part of the Russian Empire, which used the Old Style of the calendar, and this version of the date may be found in old documents
2. ^ Friedrich Robert Faehlmann monument
3. ^ Friedrich Robert Faehlmann 200th anniversary of birth
4. ^ Birth Bicentenary of Friedrich Robert Faehlmann