Russian chemistry in the 1850s: A failed attempt at institutionalization

Summary

This paper examines the efforts of two young Russian chemists during the late 1850s and early 1860s to establish a professional chemistry journal and a public laboratory for chemistry research in Russia. These two, N. N. Sokolov and A. N. Engel' gardt, were important participants in the early efforts to institutionalize and professionalize chemistry in Russia. However, both the chemistry laboratory and the chemistry journal ended after only a few years. The chemistry journal was curtailed not because of Government interference, as is sometimes asserted, but because of a conflict over editorial policy and independence. The chemistry laboratory was closed and the equipment donated to St Petersburg University when Sokolov was appointed to the position of adjunct there.