Thesis is devoted to the complex research of professional and scientific activity of the outstanding scientist-naturalist, Ph.D. in biological sciences, professor Valentyn Fedorovych Nikolaiev (1889–1974). The conditions and key factors of formation of the scientific worldview of the scientist are opened in the work, the organizational, research and pedagogical activity is analyzed, the basic directions of his scientific researches are found out and characterized. To deepen the historical and analytical research, the periodization of professional and scientific activity of the scientist was carried out. The scientific interests of the scientist were reproduced thanks to the study of his 40 works. Reproduction of a holistic picture of professional, scientific and historiographical biography of Professor V.F. Nikolaiev allowed to actualize value of its scientific achievements for the further development of domestic botanical science and its history.
The work consists of an introduction, four chapters, conclusions, references and annexes. The introduction substantiates the relevance of the dissertation research, reflects the connection with scientific programs, plans, topics. The purpose, tasks, chronological and territorial borders, object, subject, methodological bases, scientific novelty, practical value of the received results are defined. The personal contribution of the applicant, data on approbation of results of the dissertation, quantity of publications and structure of the dissertation are resulted.
The scientific novelty of the dissertation is due to the fact that for the first time in Ukrainian historiography on a documentary basis a comprehensive, comprehensive study of scientific biography, scientific-organizational and pedagogical work of the outstanding scientist, Professor V.F. Nikolaiev. The most important factors of his formation as a scientist are highlighted and the periodization of professional and scientific work of V.F. Nikolaiev. A historical and scientific analysis of the creative achievements of V.F. Nikolaiev on the main directions of his scientific activity. The personal contribution of the professor to the development of domestic botanical science, museum and nature protection is analyzed.
Little-known facts about the activities of V.F. Nikolaiev are highlighted. Nikolaiev as the head of the Natural history museum of the Poltava provincial zemstvo where he showed various talent of the organizer, the exponent, the researcher of zemstvo museum business, played an important role in its preservation during revolution and civil war. The work of V.F. Nikolaiev on replenishment of funds of a museum promoted formation of new branches: the central scientific library, the central archive and art museum which are now separate cultural and educational institutions of regional value. Also V.F. Nikolaiev and his colleagues from a museum can be considered as one of organizers of archival business in the Poltava region and founders of the modern State archive of the Poltava region.
