Background
Begichev was born in Tsariov, Astrakhan Governorate to a family of Volga River fishers.
Begichev was born in Tsariov, Astrakhan Governorate to a family of Volga River fishers.
He was twice awarded gold medals by the Russian Academy of Sciences
In 1895 he was called up to the service in the Russian Navy, and traveled three times as a sailor and a boatswain to the The Antilles islands. He was a participant in Baron Eduard Toll"s 1900–1903 "Russian Polar Expedition" as the bosun of ship Zarya. After the death of Baron Toll, Begichev took part in the research.
During this voyage, he saved the life of his commander - lieutenant Aleksandr Kolchak, a future admiral.
Walking by the sea ice, Kolchak fell in the split. When Begichev pulled him from the water, the lieutenant showed no signs of live.
Begichev took off his dry clothes, and dressed Kolchak. Then to re-animate him, Begichev fired his pipe and put it in Kolchak"s mouth.
Kolchak opened his eyes.
Nikifor Begichev died during wintering at the mouth of the Pyasina River. In 1964, a monument to Begichev was erected in the settlement of Dikson.