Expedition in Russia, 1829 Alexander von Humboldt

alexander von humboldt, portrait w. pickersgill (1831)

in 1811, , again in 1818, projects of asiatic exploration proposed humboldt, first czar nicolas s russian government, , afterwards prussian government; on each occasion, untoward circumstances interposed. not until had begun sixtieth year resumed role of traveler in interests of science.

the russian foreign minister, count georg von cancrin contacted humboldt whether platinum-based currency possible in russia , invited him visit ural mountains. humboldt not encouraging platinum-based currency, when silver standard world currency. invitation visit urals intriguing, since humboldt had long dreamed of going asia. had wanted travel india , made considerable efforts persuade british east india company authorize trip, efforts fruitless. when russia renewed earlier invitation humboldt, humboldt accepted. russians sought entice humboldt engaging enduring interest in mining sites, comparative scientific purposes humboldt, russians gain expert knowledge resources. humboldt, russian monarch s promise fund trip extremely important, since humboldt s inherited 100,000 thaler fortune gone , lived on prussian government pension of 2,500-3,000 thalers monarch s chamberlain. russian government gave advance of 1200 chervontsev in berlin , 20,000 when arrived in st petersburg.

humboldt eager travel not urals, across steppes of siberia russia s border china. humboldt wrote cancrin saying intended learn russian read mining journals in language. details of expedition worked out, humboldt said travel russia in own french coach, german servant, gustav rose, professor of chemistry , mineralogy. invited christian gottfried ehrenberg join expedition, study water micro-organisms in lake baikal , caspian sea. humboldt himself keen continue studies of magnetism of mountains , mineral deposits. usual research, brought scientific instruments take accurate measurements. russians organized local arrangements, including lodging, horses, accompanying crew. humboldt s title expedition official of department of mines. expedition neared dangerous areas, had travel in convoy escort.

physically humboldt in condition, despite advancing years, writing cancrin still walk lightly on foot, 9 ten hours without resting, despite age , white hair.

between may , november 1829, , growing expedition traversed wide expanse of russian empire neva yenisei, accomplishing in twenty-five weeks distance of 9,614 miles (15,472 km). humboldt , expedition party traveled coach on maintained roads, rapid progress being made because of changes of horses @ way stations. party had grown, johann seifert, huntsman , collector of animal specimens; russian mining official; count adolphe polier, 1 of humboldt s friends paris; cook; plus contingent of cossacks security. 3 carriages filled people, supplies, , scientific instruments. humboldt s magnetic readings accurate, carried iron-free tent. expedition unlike spanish american travels bonpland, 2 alone , accompanied local guides.

the russian government interested in humboldt finding prospects mining , commercial advancement of realm , made clear humboldt not investigate social issues, nor criticize social conditions of russian serfs. in publications on spanish america, did comment on conditions of indigenous populations, , deplored black slavery, after had left territories. humboldt discovered, government kept tight control of expedition, when 1,000 miles (1,600 km) moscow, local government officials greeting expedition @ every stop. itinerary planned tobolsk farthest destination, return st petersburg.

humboldt wrote russian minister cancrin extending travel, knowing missive not reach him in time scuttle plan. further east journeyed wilder territory, more humboldt enjoyed it. still followed siberian highway , made excellent progress, hundred miles (160 km) in day. although halted @ end of july , warned of anthrax outbreak, humboldt decided continue despite danger. @ age, nothing should postponed.

the journey though carried out advantages afforded immediate patronage of russian government, rapid profitable scientifically. correction of prevalent exaggerated estimate of height of central asian plateau, , prediction of discovery of diamonds in gold-washings of urals, important aspects of these travels. in end, expedition took 8 months, traveled 15,500 km, stopped @ 658 post stations, , used 12,244 horses.

one writer claims nothing quite humboldt wanted it. entire expedition compromise. . russian emperor offered humboldt invitation return russia, humboldt declined, due disapproval of nicholas s restrictions on freedom of movement during expedition , ability freely report on it. humboldt published 2 works on russian expedition, first fragmens de géologie et de la climatologie asiastique in 1831, based on lectures gave on topic. in 1843, completed three-volume asie centrale, dedicated czar nicholas, called unavoidable step, expedition accomplished @ expense. of 2016, these works have not been translated english. 1829 expedition russia when old man less known five-year travels in spanish america, had resulted in many published volumes on decades since 1804 return. nevertheless, gave humboldt comparative data various later scientific publications.