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Nikolai Koslov was born in 1928 in Karinu village, Võhmuta Rural Municipality, Järva County.

He received his secondary education at Rakke Gymnasium.

The majority of Koslov's professional life, a total of 28 years, was spent at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. In 1954, he graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Estonian Academy of Agriculture – Eesti Põllumajanduse Akadeemia (EPA) as a veterinarian and already in the final years of his studies, 1952–1954, he practiced as a veterinary assistant in the Tartu region. After graduation, Koslov worked as the head of the Ahja veterinary department, but already in 1955, his work brought him back to the Academy. He began as a senior laboratory assistant at the Cathedra of Pathological Anatomy and Parasitology of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and continued there as an assistant and graduate student. During his postgraduate studies from 1957 to 1960, Koslov focused on the topic of aspergillosis.

This was followed by a career in public service.

From 1960 to 1965, he served as a senior inspector on the Committee of Higher and Special Secondary Education of the Estonian SSR Council of Ministers, where he supervised the educational organization of both EPA and Tartu State University.

During this period, in 1962, he defended his biology candidate’s degree at Academy of Sciences of the Estonian SSR.

In 1965, Koslov returned to his alma mater as Vice Rector for Research. In this role, he was responsible for fostering the development of academic staff and offered many young researchers opportunities to pursue further studies at best universities in Moscow and Leningrad. Former colleagues recall that upon their return from foreign studies, these young researchers were guaranteed positions at EPA. During this time, in 1969, Koslov was appointed associate professor. He served as Vice Rector for Research for 12 years.

Although Koslov later recalled in an interview a few years ago that becoming rector was not his dream, he led Estonian Agricultural Academy for over a decade, from 1977 to 1988.

He recounted his appointment as rector: “When Arnold Rüütel left around International Women’s Day in 1977, I became acting rector. I didn’t want to become rector. I knew what the job entailed and the responsibilities it came with. The work is easier than that of a vice rector, but the responsibility is much greater. It was also difficult to imagine myself following in Rüütel’s footsteps. Eventually, I had to accept the position. It turns out that some soldiers become generals – I went from a laboratory assistant to rector.”

Considering the significance of agriculture in the socio-economic life of the Soviet Union, the role of rector of Estonian Agricultural Academy was highly influential, and this period can be considered a kind of era of being in the centre of attention.

The students of that time recall that Koslov was particularly passionate about developing and promoting the activities of the Student Scientific Association and the Faculty of Social Professions.  He wanted EPA graduates to be creative and inquisitive thinkers, specialists with a solid theoretical background and practical experience.

Nikolai Koslov was friendly and kind-hearted but also demanding of both students and colleagues. He was described as modest by nature, yet always ready to stand up for the interests of EPA, even when it came to securing funding from Moscow.

In 1980, Nikolai Koslov was awarded the title of Meritorious Veterinarian of the Estonian SSR. In 1984, he was awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Sciences degree at Moscow All-Union Experimental Veterinary Institute, and a year later, he was appointed professor at EPA.

Despite his demanding administrative responsibilities, Koslov did not neglect teaching and research. He taught farm animal anatomy, parasitology, pathological anatomy, and necropsy techniques. Koslov published works on pathological anatomy, microbiology, epizootiology, and the history of veterinary medicine. He researched avian aspergillosis and salmonellosis, swine mycobacteriosis, and animal chlamydiosis. On his initiative, a research group focused on mycobacterioses operated from 1972 to 1989.

After stepping down as rector in 1988, Koslov served as head of the Department of Pathological Anatomy and Animal Health until 1994. From 1994 to 1995, he was a professor at the Institute of Morphology, Physiology, and Pathology at the newly renamed Estonian Agricultural University, and from 1995 onward, he held the title of Professor Emeritus. In 2006, he was awarded the Order of the White Star, IV Class.

Colleagues at the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of Estonian University of Life Sciences will remember Nikolai Koslov as a vital and active person. He maintained a connection with the University, followed its developments closely, and participated in the University events until recent times. Last year, we had the opportunity to congratulate him on his 95th birthday. Even in his advanced age, he had an extraordinary memory and a great sense of humour.

Nikolai Koslov’s funeral ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 15, at 13:00 in Tartu at the Raadi cemetery chapel.