The Russian Geographical Society and the Polar Studies in the Second Half of the 19th Century

Abstract

Acknowledgement of the necessity to study the northern regions of the Russian Empire in government circles was preceded by a long period of individual enthusiasts and industrialists' activities. They knew about the natural resources of the North. Local industrialists had understood almost before scientists polar regions economic importance. They tried to convey the idea of the necessity for scientific research in the North to the general public. The authors mainly relying on the published sources analyze the Russian Geographical Society (RGS) role in the polar research history. The article examines RGS members' attitude to the idea of organizing polar expeditions, its contacts with foreign polar travellers, determines the main results of the expeditions organized by RGS. Those studies led the authors to a conclusion that in the second half of the 19^th century, RGS to some extent obtained the role of the platform hosting a discussion prospects for polar research. The Society has rarely dealt with the organization of polar research itself. Articles on problems connected to the observations results in the polar regions appeared on its periodicals pages. Travellers' reports were heard at RGS meetings. Various achievements in North studies were discussed. At the same time, RGS participation in the work of the First International Polar Year (1882-1883), the publication of a large number of papers on the polar travels history, the discussion of A. Nordenskiold and F. Nansen's expeditions results helped to draw attention to the issue of exploring the Arctic not only by scientists but also by state officials