Aleksandr Formozov
Aleksandr Nikolaevich Formozov (1899–1973) was a Soviet biologist and environmentalist. He studied the biogeography and ecology of the steppe regions and is best known for his work on snow cover in ecology.
Also recorded as Alexander N. Formosov · Aleksandr Nikolaevich Formozov · A.N. Formozov
Aleksandr Formozov
- Birth Name
- Aleksandr Nikolaevich Formozov
- Born
- 13 February 1899
- Birthplace
- Nizhny Novgorod
- Died
- 22 December 1973
- Place of death
- Moscow
- Education
- Moscow State University
- Nationality
- Russian Empire · Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic · Soviet Union
- Occupation
- zoologist · biogeographer · ecologist · university teacher · mammalogist · painter
- Fields
- zoology · biogeography · ecology · animal art
- Teachers
- Boris Mikhaylovich Zhitkov · Grigorii Kozhevnikov
- Honours
- Order of the Red Banner of Labour
- Languages
- Russian
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Aleksandr Nikolaevich Formozov (1899–1973) was a Soviet biologist and environmentalist. He studied the biogeography and ecology of the steppe regions and is best known for his work on snow cover in ecology.
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wikidata · Q4491900 · wikipedia · Aleksandr Formozov
In this article
Biography
Biography
Aleksandr Formozov studied at Nizhny Novgorod Gymnasium, Warsaw Polytechnic Institute and N. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod. Training under Boris Mikhaylovich Zhitkov and Grigorii Kozhevnikov is recorded. Aleksey Mikheev, Nataliya Fedorovna Darskaya and Konstantin Blagosklonov are recorded as having studied under Aleksandr Formozov. The recorded working language is Russian. The field of work recorded is zoology, biogeography and ecology. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are animal. Grigorii Kozhevnikov is recorded as an influence. Employment is recorded with Lomonosov Moscow State University. Distinctions recorded are Order of the Red Banner of Labour.
Key facts
Key facts
• Birth Name — Aleksandr Nikolaevich Formozov • Born — 13 February 1899 • Birthplace — Nizhny Novgorod • Died — 22 December 1973 • Place of death — Moscow • Citizenship — Russian Empire, USSR • Education — Moscow State University
Biography
Biography
Alexander Formozov was born in Nizhny Novgorod to Nikolai Yelpidiforovich Formozov (1871–1928) and Elizabeth Fedorovna née Fedorova. His father worked in the local institutions, contributed to newspapers and was a keen hunter. Alexander's early studies were at the local Gymnasium after which he moved to study chemistry at the Warsaw Polytechnic Institute. In 1919 he joined the Red Army and fought on the Southern Front. He later moved to study biology and then graduated in natural sciences from Moscow State University in 1925. He went on an expedition to Mongolia and the Far East organized by the USSR Academy of Sciences. He became an associate professor in 1929 at Leningrad and a full professor from 1935. He headed the Research Institute of Poultry and Poultry industry from 1931 and an institute for fur and hunting. He worked on aspects of biogeography from 1962. From 1945 Formozov centred his research on the ecology of the steppes and deserts found in the Soviet Union. Formozov introduced numerous terms for snow drift phenomena that precisely identify habitats and associations. He married twice, first to Lyubov Nikolaevna née Promptova (1903–1990) sister of the ornithologist Aleksandr Promptov. They had a son Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Formozov (1928–2009), who was a prominent archeologist. His second wife was Varvara Ivanovna Osmolovskaya (1916–1994) with whom he had two children.
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the headings Alexander N. Formosov, Aleksandr Nikolaevich Formozov and A.N. His recorded language was Russian. 3 children are recorded: Aleksandr Formozov, Elizaveta Aleksandrovna Bonch-Osmolovskaya and Nikolai A.
Identity
Identity
Aleksandr Formozov is recorded with the occupation university teacher. Recorded with the occupation animal painter. Classed in the genre animal art. Recorded as having studied at Nizhny Novgorod Gymnasium, Warsaw Polytechnic Institute and N. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1899
Aleksandr Formozov was born on 1 February 1899.
1973
Aleksandr Formozov died on 22 December 1973.
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Nizhny Novgorod.
Birth place
Moscow.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Aleksandr Formozov”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4491900: Aleksandr Formozov
General reference · Wikidata
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General reference
People, houses and institutions
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People, houses and institutions
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Died at
1- MoscowPlace
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Further particulars
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Further particulars
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Aleksandr Formozov studied at Nizhny Novgorod Gymnasium, Warsaw Polytechnic Institute, N. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod and Lomonosov Moscow State University. The record notes the qualification Doctor of Biological Sciences. He trained under Boris Mikhaylovich Zhitkov and Grigorii Kozhevnikov. His recorded influences include Grigorii Kozhevnikov. Career and activity. Formozov worked in zoology, biogeography, ecology and animal art. He was employed by Lomonosov Moscow State University.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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