V. V. Dokuchaev — an outstanding Russian collector

Abstract

This article is dedicated to the activities of Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchaev, one of the outstanding domestic scientists of the late 19th century, not only in the field of science, but also in the field of museum work and popularization of scientific knowledge. His work laid the foundation of that huge and important branch of our knowledge which is known as genetic soil science. In the 19th century, the number of museums, including natural science museums, grew steadily in the Russian Empire, and the museum world was transformed into a special sphere of cultural life. Museum form began to be used for solving various cultural, scientific and educational purposes. Thus, the most important aspect of Vasily Vasilyevich’s activity was the popularization of natural science in the framework of exhibitions and museums. V. B. Bothers personally developed a series of projects of museums dedicated to soil science. There is an inextricable link between the museum and science, and V. V. Dokuchaev did everything to ensure that his science would have wide development, thanks to thematic museums and exhibitions. On the example of museums created by scientists, it can be said with confidence that Dokuchaev’s popularization of soil science had a beneficial effect on the development of this science in the following years. Vasily Vasilyevich lived a short life, but thanks to his exceptionally energetic scientific, pedagogical and social activities, he became the pride of Russian and world science. The article analyzed the milestones of the biography of V. V. Dokuchaev, as well as his ascetic activities in creating exhibitions and museums; the article also covers the history of the emergence of Russian museums of soil science in St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Smolensk.