Anatoly Bogdanov

Anatoliy Petrovich Bogdanov (1834-1896) was a Russian zoologist and anthropologist who was born in the Voronezh Oblast in southern Russia.

In 1855 he graduated from the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Moscow, and furthered his education at several natural history museums throughout Europe. During this time he also attended lectures from famous zoologists such as Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1805-1861) and Émile Blanchard (1819-1900). In 1858 he returned to Moscow to perform post-graduate work, and also help establish a department of zoology at the university, of which he became head of in 1861. In 1863 he became director of the zoological museum at Moscow, a position he maintained for the rest of his life.

Bogdanov was known for his organizational skills, and was a major factor in the founding of the zoological gardens in Moscow, as well as the establishment of several scientific societies, including the "Society of Friends of Natural Science". This society was founded in 1864, whose goal was to spread scientific knowledge to the Russian people, and create an atmosphere where professionals and amateurs could work together in their love of natural sciences. Through this institution, Bogdanov was able to raise money and resources to create an "All-Russian Ethnographic Exhibition", which made its debut in April, 1867. This exhibition consisted of dioramas with hundreds of mannequins representing 60 ethnic groups that populated the Russian Empire.

Bogdanov is also credited for the translation of several German and French textbooks on zoology and entomology into Russian.

References

* [http://zmmu.msu.ru/eng/h_d_b.htm Zoological Museum of Moscow University, Short Biography]
* [http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/nceeer/2001-814-11g-Knight.pdf Essay on the 1867 All-Russian Ethnographic Exhibition]