Maximilian Theodor (Max) Buch (29 August 1850 Räpina, Livonian Governorate, Russian Empire – 6 January 1920 Lappeenranta, Finland) was a Baltic German-born Finnish physician, ethnographer, court councillor, Finnish nationalist, and advocate of public education. His extensive literary production is mainly in German, but he also published in Swedish and Russian.
![](http://upload.luquay.com/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Max-Buch.jpg)
Scientific studies
editHe made ethnographic observations among the Udmurts (Votyaks) and published the study Die Wotjäken: Eine Ethnologische Studie in 1882.[1] He also wrote on Estonian folk religion.
Scientific theories
editBuch is also noted for his controversial studies in curing alcoholism by means of strychnine.[2]
Public education
editBuch authored the pamphlet, Finnland und seine Nationalitätenfrage ("Finland and Her Nationality Question"), in which he detailed the low availability of schooling and the emphasis of a Swedish language on Finns. In a summary by Peter Kropotkin, "Out of 300,000 children of school age in 1881, only 26,900 received instruction in 576 permanent schools, of which 134 were Swedish."[3]
References
edit- ^ Siikala, Anna-Leena (2006). "Toisiinsa virtaavat maailmat". In Anna Maria Viljanen; Minna Lahti (eds.). Kaukaa Haettua. Suomen antropologinen seura. p. 11.
- ^ "Alcoholism in Bellevue Hospital". The Journal of Inebriety. 12. 1890.
- ^ Kropotkin, Peter (1885). "Finland: A Rising Nationality". The Nineteenth Century. pp. 527–546.