Mykola Yakovych Dakhnov (1862–1930): the Symbolic Personality of Steppic Forestry

The purpose of the article is search and generalization of information about M. Ya. Dakhnovʼs life and activity and creation of the most complete biography of the outstanding forester of Ukraine for today.Methods of research: analytical-synthetic, historical-chronological, comparative-historical, logical, historical-biographical.The scientific novelty: for the first time in the historical-chronological context the life and creative way of the outstanding forester M. Ya. Dakhnov is being considered. The hypothesis about the M. Ya. Dakhnov's pedigree is expressed and substantiated.Practical significance: materials can be used in drawing up handbooks on the history of forestry in Ukraine.The originality of the research is based on a wide range of sources used and their analytical and synthetic elaboration.Type of article: descriptive, research. scientific and biographical.The main results. Based on the analysis of historiographical sources on the history of the development of the national steppe forestry, the subject of research was determined: the life and career of a well-known forester and gardener Mykola Yakovych Dakhnov. The little-known facts of his life activity were introduced into scientific circulation. A hypothesis was expressed about who were the parents (father) M. Ya. Dakhnov. The materials are given that in his youth M. Ya. Dakhnov was involved in protest actions against the government of the Russian Empire. The process of the formation of M. Ya. Dakhnov as a well-known specialist in the field of steppe forestry and gardening is considered. Based on the study of materials of the forestry congress in Great Anadol (1908), the role of M. Ya. Dakhnov in the creation and practical implementation of various types of afforestation and methods of "remediation" of forest stands was substantiated. His organizational and scientific activities during the 1908 congress in Great Anadol are shown and his proposals on strengthening the gardening direction in lower forest schools are considered. Given the little-known facts from the life and work of M. Ya. Dakhnov after 1919, when he retired, It was suggested that the resignation and relocation to Alushta could be associated with family circumstances caused by the civil war. Attention is drawn to the presence of "white spots" in biographical essays on M. Ya. Dakhnov. It is noted in this regard, the need for further research of his life and work.