| AdminHistory | The State Darwin Museum [formerly known as the Museum Darwinianum, Moscow] was established in 1907 by Professor Alexander Eric Kohts [also known as Coates], from his own collection of biological specimens. Kohts was a museum researcher, who read the lectures on the theory of evolution at the Moscow Higher Female Courses at the University of Moscow. When it was opened, it was the first museum devoted only to the theory of evolution. In 1911 Alexander Kohts married Dr Nadezhda Ladygina, the animal behaviourist, and they were co-directors of the museum until 1964. Plans for a new building for the museum were begun in the 1960s but not complete until the 1990s. The museum is still in existence today. |
| Description | Series of 34 photographs of exhibits in the Museum, including a printed historical account of the Museum from VOKS Bulletin, Nov/Dec.1955, p.26-32.
Also includes a letter of transmittal from Alexander Eric Coates [also known as Kohts], dated 27 November 1961, and photographs of him (1898, 1905 and 1960) and the early formation of the Museum whilst in his private ownership.
Photographs are contained within a green presentation folder which has a photograph of a bust of Darwin on the front, and the words 'To the Linnean Society of London. Burlington House, Piccadilly, W.1. Sender: State From the "Museum Darwinianum" of Moscow.' |