An Unknown Autograph by N.N. Miklouho-Maclay

Abstract

The article enquires into the history and textual analysis of Miklouho-Maclay’s autograph discovered at the Department of Manuscripts of the Russian National Library. The autograph is a dedicatory inscription for Grand Prince Konstantin Nikolaevich on a brochure containing the texts of Miklouho-Maclay’s lectures that were delivered by the scholar at the Imperial Russian Geographical Society in 1882. The autograph and the fact of presenting the brochure as a gift to the Grand Prince cast light on yet another episode in Miklouho-Maclay’s biography and relationships with “those in power”. The history of the brochure’s appearance and especially the editing of the text done by Miklouho-Maclay let us pose a question about the authenticity of several works included in the six-volume edition of the scholar’s writings. Furthermore, the nature of that editing calls for a more comprehensive examination of Miklouho-Maclay’s views on natural history and social-political matters.