THE FORERUNNERS OF THE HIGHER GEOGRAPHICAL EDUCATION IN RUSSIA (AS CONCERNS THE HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT OF SAINT-PETERSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY)

Abstract

Issuing of the Decree on the Establishment of Geographical Institute in Petrograd by the Soviet Government in 1918 is usually being associated with the forerunning activities of the Higher Geographical Courses at Dokuchayev’s Committee. In the present essay, information is compiled about the roles of the attendants of Free Courses and the staff of the Biological Laboratory, both of which were organized by P.F. Lesgaft, in promoting geography in Russia. In particular, I.D. Strelnikov, who was born to a miserable peasant family, attended the Free Courses, which helped him to continue education in European scientific centers and participate in a successful expedition to South America. In 1918, I.D. Strelnikov contributed to the establishment of Institure of Geography in Petrograd. The essay is concluded with a judgment concerning the development of the science of geography in the second half of the XX century and the current state of geographical education in Russia.