Academic links between Russia and Germany in the 18th–19th centuries

Abstract

It seems that there is no national culture, not even the most original and strong, which can be formed without absorbing external influences. The purpose of this article is to show how profoundly the development of Russian humanitarian culture was influenced by borrowings from German practice, in particular on the example of the science of world history and, even more precisely, of classical studies. The rise was taken in the reforms of Peter the Great. The Academy of Sciences was founded in St. Petersburg during his reign, and careful consideration of the Western European practice by the Russian Tsar and his staff preceded this event. L. Blumentrost, the German-born physician of Peter the Great, was in charge of preparations for the establishment of the Academy, and the German scientist G. S. Bayer represented the humanitarian class which was nearly identical to classical studies. The next important step was made at the turn of the 19th century when the harmonious system of education based on elementary schools, secondary gymnasia and universities was created in Russia. It was to a great extent a replica of the German example, the very system of standard classical education was also borrowed from Germany. From this point on this system of education was constantly fed by reference to German practice. Russian classical scholars fulfilled their education in German classical learning centers — the Professorial Institute in Dorpat and the Russian Seminar in Leipzig. The same was the goal of regular educational trips to Germany by Russian students who were trained there for the professorial career. Refs 13.