Defining the Russian People: Konstantin Arsen'ev and Russian Statistics before 1861

Abstract

In the first half of the nineteenth century, Russian statistics took shape both institutionally and theoretically. The central figure in this process was Konstantin Arsen'ev (1789-1865), whose writings and organizational work significantly influenced the next generation of statisticians. Arsen'ev also taught statistics to the future Alexander II, the Tsar-Liberator. While much has been written on what motivated Alexander to free the serfs in 1861, the influence of Arsen'ev, who was a firm abolitionist, has been overlooked. This article will give an overview of Arsen'ev's life, paying particular attention to his statistical writings and government work. By focusing on one key individual, we can more clearly understand the interactions between personal views, scientific schools of thought, and government institutions.

Shading, lines, colors: mapping ethnographic taxonomies of European Russia

“…5. Another important figure in the development of demographic statistics in the Russian Empire was Konstantin Arsen'ev (1789-1865) (see Smith-Peter 2007). For a full account of Keppen's life, see Sukhova (1993) and the biography written by one of his sons (Keppen 1911).…”

“…The literature on imperial and colonial mapping activities is vast. Some classic works on the British Empire includeEdney (1997) andDriver (2001).6 Another important figure in the development of demographic statistics in the Russian Empire was Konstantin Arsen'ev (1789-1865) (seeSmith-Peter 2007). For a full account of Keppen's life, seeSukhova (1993) and the biography written by one of his sons(Keppen 1911).7 As Marina Loskutova has argued, Keppen was representative of a "particular group of ministerial 'experts', who occupied a liminal position between a very small circle of academic scholars (affiliated…”

Early Research on Insect Pests in the Russian Empire: Bureaucracy, Academic Community and Local Knowledge in the 1830s-1840s

“…Thus, we still have a very limited understanding of the nature of territorial governance, and the exploration of nature and its riches in this period. Recently, however, some historians have pointed out the profound shift that took place in terms of government policies on geographical exploration in the late 1820s–1830s (Smith‐Peter, ; Vishlenkova, ).…”

“…Thus, we still have a very limited understanding of the nature of territorial governance, and the exploration of nature and its riches in this period. Recently, however, some historians have pointed out the profound shift that took place in terms of government policies on geographical exploration in the late 1820s-1830s (Smith-Peter, 2007;Vishlenkova, 2011). Under Tsar Nicholas I the Russian imperial government embarked on a systematic large-scale survey of the country's territory and its human and natural resources (or perhaps it resumed its old 18th century tradition, which had come to a halt during a long period of military and political upheaval in Europe).…”

“…Under Tsar Nicholas I the Russian imperial government embarked on a systematic large‐scale survey of the country's territory and its human and natural resources (or perhaps it resumed its old 18th century tradition, which had come to a halt during a long period of military and political upheaval in Europe). The reasons for this shift are not quite clear, yet what transpires from patchy historical observations is the consistent drive by the Russian government in the late 1820s–1840s to modernize the state administration and its practices for governing the country's territory and its population (Lincoln, ; Smith‐Peter, ). An adoption of specific scientific practices and concepts – ranging from statistics to physics and natural history – was part and parcel of this process.…”