The Academy of Sciences expeditions of the first half of the 19th century and the development of practical biology in the Russian Empire

• Autores: Tatiana Yu Feklova
• Localización: The Circulation of Science and Technology: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference of the European Society for the History of Science. Barcelona, 18-20 November 2010 / coord. por Antoni M. Roca Rosell, 2012, ISBN 978-84-9965-108-8, págs. 608-611
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The first half of the19th century is for the whole world the period of formation of the capitalist relations. At this time Russian science has reached a new stage in its development. Industrial development also puts other purposes and problems before science. The 18th century was a time when the enormous territories of the Russian empire had practically not been studied yet, nor was any finding considered of interest. The problems of a more purposeful approach to research had been put before scientists. Expeditions were an integral part of the Academy activity for promoting its further development and prosperity. They helped to create a data-base for the future development of science.

    First of all, expeditions gave wide opportunities for carrying out various researches in the fields of geography, biology, zoology, ethnography, etc. Secondly, expeditions allowed for the improvement of scientific methods.

    Along the travel, scientists developed their own techniques and methodologies for research, which, after its completion, could subsequently enter into a scientific arsenal.

    From the total number of analyzed expeditions (41 expeditions made by the Academy of Sciences, either separately or together with the ministries), 15 led to appreciable breaks in science – of which 7 especially in biology.