Dragutin Lerman
Encyclopedia
Dragutin Lerman was a Croatia
n explorer. Lerman was born in Požega
, Slavonia
, but he left his home very early. He was a member of the 1882 Henry Morton Stanley
expedition to Congo
and was one of Stanley's most trusted men. ("The Croat is energetic, cautious, in high spirits...")
Later, he was the confidant of Léopold II, King of the Belgians
and the very representative
of the Belgian government in the Congo. His first exploration trip lasted from 1882 to 1885, the second from 1888 to 1890, and the third between 1892 and 1894. The fourth lasted six months during 1896. During the journey through Congo in 1882, he discovered huge waterfalls on the Kouilou River
, (or Kwil
), and named them the Zrinski chutes
to honor the national family of rulers (Nikola Zrinski and Petar Zrinski
of Međimurje) from his native country.
His diary was transferred into two books. The first, published in 1891 under the title Dnevnik iz Afrike (Diary from Africa
), was written and printed by his friend from Požega, Julije Kempf
, whom Lerman informed about the course of the exploration. The second one was published in 1894 with the title Novi dnevnik iz Afrike (New diary from Africa). Lerman provided inspiration for two additional explorers (Mirko and Stjepan Seljan
) who were mapping Africa
and South America
at the turn of the 20th century.
A big part of the collection that Lerman brought home from the Congo
, 493 artifacts, was donated to the Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb
and has been part of the permanent exhibition ever since. His original diary is in the archives of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
.
He died in Kreševo
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
, where his gravestone is still visible.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n explorer. Lerman was born in Požega
Požega, Croatia
Požega is a city in western Slavonia, eastern Croatia, with a total population of 26,403 . It is the administrative center of the Požega-Slavonia County.-Geography:...
, Slavonia
Slavonia
Slavonia is a geographical and historical region in eastern Croatia...
, but he left his home very early. He was a member of the 1882 Henry Morton Stanley
Henry Morton Stanley
Sir Henry Morton Stanley, GCB, born John Rowlands , was a Welsh journalist and explorer famous for his exploration of Africa and his search for David Livingstone. Upon finding Livingstone, Stanley allegedly uttered the now-famous greeting, "Dr...
expedition to Congo
Congo Free State
The Congo Free State was a large area in Central Africa which was privately controlled by Leopold II, King of the Belgians. Its origins lay in Leopold's attracting scientific, and humanitarian backing for a non-governmental organization, the Association internationale africaine...
and was one of Stanley's most trusted men. ("The Croat is energetic, cautious, in high spirits...")
Later, he was the confidant of Léopold II, King of the Belgians
Leopold II of Belgium
Leopold II was the second king of the Belgians. Born in Brussels the second son of Leopold I and Louise-Marie of Orléans, he succeeded his father to the throne on 17 December 1865 and remained king until his death.Leopold is chiefly remembered as the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free...
and the very representative
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
of the Belgian government in the Congo. His first exploration trip lasted from 1882 to 1885, the second from 1888 to 1890, and the third between 1892 and 1894. The fourth lasted six months during 1896. During the journey through Congo in 1882, he discovered huge waterfalls on the Kouilou River
Kouilou-Niari River
The Kouilou-Niari River — also spelled Kwilu, Kwila, or Kwil — is the main drainage path for the coastal basin of the Republic of the Congo. The river is called the Kouilou River along most of its length, but its center section, in the Niari region of The Congo, is called the Niari River...
, (or Kwil
KWIL
KWIL is a radio station licensed to serve Albany, Oregon, USA. The station is owned by Extra Mile Media, Inc.-Programming:KWIL broadcasts a religious radio format to the greater Corvallis, Oregon, area...
), and named them the Zrinski chutes
Kouilou-Niari River
The Kouilou-Niari River — also spelled Kwilu, Kwila, or Kwil — is the main drainage path for the coastal basin of the Republic of the Congo. The river is called the Kouilou River along most of its length, but its center section, in the Niari region of The Congo, is called the Niari River...
to honor the national family of rulers (Nikola Zrinski and Petar Zrinski
Petar Zrinski
Petar Zrinski was a Croatian Ban and writer. A member of the Zrinski noble family, he was noted for his role in the attempted Croatian-Hungarian rebellion of 1664-1670 which ultimately led to his execution for high treason.-Zrinski family:Petar Zrinski was born in Vrbovec, a small town near...
of Međimurje) from his native country.
His diary was transferred into two books. The first, published in 1891 under the title Dnevnik iz Afrike (Diary from Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
), was written and printed by his friend from Požega, Julije Kempf
Julije Kempf
Julije Kempf was a Croatian historian and writer. Kempf was born in Požega, Slavonia. After graduating from Požega gymnasium, he attended teachers school in Zagreb...
, whom Lerman informed about the course of the exploration. The second one was published in 1894 with the title Novi dnevnik iz Afrike (New diary from Africa). Lerman provided inspiration for two additional explorers (Mirko and Stjepan Seljan
Mirko and Stjepan Seljan
Mirko Seljan and Stevo Seljan , also croatized Stjepan, were Croatian explorers....
) who were mapping Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
at the turn of the 20th century.
A big part of the collection that Lerman brought home from the Congo
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
, 493 artifacts, was donated to the Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
and has been part of the permanent exhibition ever since. His original diary is in the archives of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts is the national academy of Croatia. It was founded in 1866 as the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts , and was known by that name for most of its existence.- History :...
.
He died in Kreševo
Kreševo
Kreševo is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located in the Central Bosnia Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity.-Settlements:• Alagići• Bjelovići• Botunja• Bukva• Crkvenjak• Crnički Kamenik• Crnići• Deževice...
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, where his gravestone is still visible.