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Vasily Vasilievich Dokuchaev
About museum
Vasily Vasilievich Dokuchaev was a Russian geologist and mineralogist, the founder of modern scientific soil science and of comprehensive studies of nature. He was born into the family of a village priest in the Smolensk region. After receiving his initial education at a religious school and seminary, he chose a scientific career and entered Saint Petersburg University, which he graduated from in 1871 with a candidate degree.
After graduating from university, Dokuchaev worked as the curator of the geological cabinet while simultaneously conducting field research. Over the course of several years he undertook a number of expeditions across Russia and Finland, studying the geological structure of river valleys. In 1878 Dokuchaev defended his master's thesis, proposing an original theory for the formation of river valleys.
In subsequent years Dokuchaev studied chernozems and carried out an extensive expedition covering more than 10,000 kilometers. In 1883 his work "Russian Chernozem" was published, with a detailed description of the origin, composition, and properties of chernozem. For this work he received a doctoral degree. From 1882 Dokuchaev organized comprehensive expeditions to study soils in various regions of Russia, developed methods for protecting soils and water resources, and also proposed the creation of shelterbelts. Vasily Vasilievich Dokuchaev died in 1903.
Date of birth
01 March 1846
Date of death
08 November 1903
Occupation
Scientist