Sir Samuel Bentham, a faithful associate of prince G. A. Potyomkin of Tauris, and his activities in Russia in 1780–1791

 
Title (other)
PIIS020596060005931-6-1
DOI10.31857/S020596060005931-6
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Affiliation: S. I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow, Ul. Baltiyskaya, 14
Affiliation: S. I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow, Ul. Baltiyskaya, 14
Journal nameVoprosy istorii estestvoznaniia i tekhniki
EditionVolume 40 3
Pages553-568
Abstract

This paper analyzes the Russian period in the life and work of Sir Samuel Bentham, a noted British engineer who was invited to Russia by Prince G. A. Potyomkin of Tauris (Knyaz Potyomkin-Tavrisheskii) and served this country from 1780 to 1791. In the beginning he built ships, designed various mechanisms, and experimented with steel production methods. In 1781-1783, Sir Samuel Bentham undertook his first journey to Siberia under Potyomkin’s patronage, travelling from St. Petersburg to Kyakhta via Arkhangelsk, Perm, etc. He studied the operations of numerous factories and mines in the Urals and Siberia, inventing new mechanisms for these enterprises. From 1783 to 1789, Bentham took part in the Russa-Turkish War and was decorated for his deeds. His second journey to Siberia was in 1789-1791. He visited the Kirghiz-Kaisak steppes, collaborated with G.I. Shelikhov, and founded a regimental military school in the Fortress of Kudar. Bentham’s reports were of great interest for Catherine II (Catherine the Great). His Siberian Diaries had never been published and are stored at the British Library.

KeywordsSamuel Bentham, Ochakov, Crimea, Irkutsk, explorations of the Arctic coast, Transbaikalia, Buryatia, Kyakhta, Amur, Kirghiz-Kaisak steppes, border zones development plans, organization of military school, studies and use of natural resources
Received06.09.2019
Publication date09.09.2019
Number of characters36870
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