ERDMANN, Franz von (Russian Fëdor Ivanovič Èrdman, born Friedrich Franz Ludwig Erdmann). Ludwigslust, Mecklenburg 15.3.1793 (or 1795?) — Kazan 2/14.2.1862. German Historian of Asia in Russia. Son of Johann Ernst Friedrich E., a vicar, and Luise Adel. Educated in Lübeck, studies at Rostock (O. G. Tychsen) and Göttingen. PD 1818 Rostock, of Oriental languages. Invited by Frähn, came to Russia still in 1818, first as Frähn’s successor as the Professor of Oriental languages at Kazan University. Taught there until 1845, learned Tatar and Turkish. After 1845 lived in Novgorod as Staatsrat and school director. Knighted 1827. Married Miranda van Delen (d. 1822) and 1823 Elisabeth Euler (1780–1852).
Fr. von Erdmann was mainly a historian. He had no proper philological training, which is often clearly seen in his work.
Publications: On Arabic: on Willmet’s dictionary (1821); on the History of Mecca by Taqî-addîn (1822), Abraha (1833), Buhaira (1854).
– On Persian: Iskender Menesi’s history (1822 & 1861), Nizâmî (1826-32 & 1844), Rashîd-addîn on Turkish and Mongol peoples (1841), articles in ZDMG 1848 & 1861.
– Predki Čingishana. 91 p. St.P. 1843.
– Kalmückischer Dschangan. 1857; on Kazan Tatars, ZDMG 1859.
– Temudschin, der Unerschütterliche. 14+647 p. Lp. 1862 (his magnum opus).
– Many articles, often in rare journals like Abhandl. der Kasaner Ges. für russische Literaturkunde.
– on Persian: Iskender Menesi’s history (1822 & 1861), Nizâmî (1826-32 & 1844), Rashîd-addîn on Turkish and Mongol peoples (1841), articles in ZDMG 1848 & 1861.
– “Kalmückischer Dschangar”, ZDMG 11, 1857, 708-730; on Kazan Tatars, ZDMG 13, 1859.
– Temudschin, der Unerschütterliche. 1862 (his magnum opus).
– many articles, often in rare journals like Abhandl. der Kasaner Ges. für russische Literaturkunde.
Sources: Gosche, Wiss. Jahresber. zu ZDMG, 1862-1867, 57; German Wikipedia (more in Russian version, with portrait).
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