Lesgaft P.F. (1837-1909), anatomist, teacher

Categories / Science. Education/Personalia
LESGAFT Peter Frantsevich (St. Petersburg, 1837-1909), anatomist and teacher. Graduated from the Medical Surgical Academy in 1861. In 1868, he became a professor at Kazan University. In 1871, started teaching at the Medical Surgical Academy. In 1874-86, his primary interest was in the organisation of physical training and education in military educational institutions. From 1886 to 1897, he held teaching positions at the University of St. Petersburg and at the Rozhdestvensky Women's Courses. In 1893, he established the Biological Laboratory, which was renamed the Lesgaft Institute of Natural Science in 1918. The laboratory was located at 32 Angliisky Avenue (memorial plaque installed). In 1896, he initiated the Courses of Female Teachers of Physical Education, connected with the laboratory (see Lesgaft's Courses); in 1906-07 the courses operated as the Pedagogical Department of the Higher Free School, also opened by Lesgaft. In 1919, using these courses as the base, he set up the Lesgaft Institute of Physical Education (present-day Lesgaft Academy of Physical Culture). There is a monument to Lesgaft (2003, sculptor V.V. Ivanov) in the academy yard at 35 Dekabristov Street. Lesgaft died not far from Cairo, and was buried at Literatorskie Mostky in St. Petersburg.

References: Экономов Л. А. Страстный учитель: Повествование о П. Ф. Лесгафте. М., 1969; Шабунин А. В. П. Ф. Лесгафт. М., 1982; Его же. Лесгафт в Петербурге. Л., 1989.

O. N. Ansberg. Ivanov V.V.
Lesgaft Peter Franzevich
Dekabristov St./Saint Petersburg, city, house 35
Экономов Л. А. Страстный учитель: Повествование о П. Ф. Лесгафте. М., 1969
Шабунин А. В. П. Ф. Лесгафт. М., 1982
Шабунин А. В. Лесгафт в Петербурге. Л., 1989 State University, St. Petersburg
Lesgaft's Courses
Lesgaft Academy of Physical Education, State, St. Petersburg
Literatorskie (Literary) Mostki, the museum-necropolis
1895