Notes on the history of the creation of the Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg University in 1724

Abstract

The achievements of Russian science and education form a reliable basis for the innovative development of the modern economy. It is quite natural, therefore, that there is an interest in the origins of the origin of science and education in Russia. In preparing this article, the author relied on the materials of books written by him about such outstanding scientists as Leonard Euler, Mikhail Lomonosov, Dmitry Mendeleev, who forever inscribed their names in the history of St Petersburg University and made the glory of Russian and world science. The article examines on a factual basis the history of the creation of the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences and Arts, established on the initiative of Peter I. At the request of Peter I, the University and the Gymnasium were included in the Academy. Thus, the simultaneous beginning of the activities of the current Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg State University was laid, having one common date of foundation — January 28 (February 8), 1724. The article examines the first years of the Academy and the University through the special contribution to their development of a number of outstanding scientists, first of all, M. V. Lomonosov. M. V. Lomonosov has the merit of separating the University into an independent unit within the Academy of Sciences, its reorganization in order to ensure high-quality training of domestic scientists and their replenishment of the Academy’s ranks. The main economic ideas of M. V. Lomonosov, who anticipated the modern policy of state protectionism in his proposals. The data on the beginning of the systematic teaching of economic disciplines after the restoration of the activities of St Petersburg University in 1819 are given. Shown are examples of close cooperation between the Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg State University in the modern period, when preparations began for the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg State University.