Carl Julian (von) Graba facts for kids

Carl Julian (von) Graba (born February 17, 1799, died March 30, 1874) was a German lawyer and a Danish official. He was also a very keen bird expert. Graba was one of the first modern researchers to visit and study the Faroe Islands. During his trip, he described a type of puffin that was later named after him. Even Charles Darwin mentioned Graba's discoveries in his famous book On the Origin of Species in 1872.

About Carl Julian Graba

Carl Graba was born in Itzehoe, which was part of the Danish Kingdom at the time. His father was a Danish cavalry colonel. Carl grew up in north Germany.

Early Life and Education

Graba went to school at the Katharineum in Lübeck. After that, he studied law at Kiel University starting in 1817. Once he finished his studies, he began working as a lawyer in local courts.

Graba's Interest in Birds

One of Graba's colleagues, Friedrich Boie, was also a bird expert. Boie had traveled to Norway to study birds there. He encouraged Graba to visit the Faroe Islands. These islands were very remote and not well-known at the time. Their birdlife had not been studied much. Graba thought the birds there would be "even stranger" than those in other northern islands.

Graba's Trip to the Faroe Islands

Carl Graba spent three months in the Faroe Islands in 1828. He wanted to study what he called the "birds of the North in their home environment."

Journey to the Islands

Graba left Kiel on March 23, 1828. He arrived in Copenhagen the next day. His trip to the Faroe Islands was delayed by calm weather. He finally sailed on April 9 and reached Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, on April 18.

Exploring the Islands

During his visit, Graba took many trips around the Faroes. He visited islands like Nólsoy, Sandoy, Suduroy, Eysturoy, and Streymoy. He kept very careful notes about the birds he saw. He wrote down details like their weight, size, and feather colors.

He also studied two white-speckled ravens and two Rock Pigeons. He noticed how wild pigeons behaved differently from domestic ones.

Travel and Observations

Graba traveled by rowing boat, on horseback, and by foot. He often stayed with young Danish priests. These priests typically lived in the Faroes for six years. This experience helped them get good jobs back in Denmark.

He spent three days in Saksun. He also visited the bird cliffs in the Vestmanna mountains. These cliffs made a big impression on him. His notes include many stories about both the birds and the people of the Faroes.

Graba observed a traditional whale hunt in Tórshavn on July 2. He saw many people in boats working together to catch whales. He described the excitement and energy of the event. He also wrote about how the whale meat was shared and taxed.

Return Journey

Graba left Tórshavn on July 17, 1828. He arrived back near Kiel on August 6. He was very happy to be back in familiar places. His notes ended with a clear statement: "I will not travel to the Faroes a second time."

His detailed notes were published in Hamburg in 1830. The book was called Tagebuch, geführt auf einer Reise nach Färö im Jahre 1828 (Diary kept on a trip to Farö in 1828). It was later translated into Faroese in 1987.

Later Life and Legacy

After his trip, Graba continued his work as a lawyer and civil servant. He later moved to Reinbek, near Hamburg. After he retired, he moved back to Kiel. He passed away there on March 30, 1874.

In 1993, his book about the Faroe Islands was reprinted. A journalist wrote in 1999 that his "small work is still recognized today, after more than 150 years, and not outdated." This shows how important his observations were.

Carl Julian von Graba had two sons. One of them, Hermann von Graba, became a mayor and a district administrator.

See also

• Fauna of the Faroe Islands