Recognition (to the 175-th anniversary of the birth of V. V. Dokuchaev)

The article is dedicated to the assessment and the recognition of the merits of V.V. Dokuchaev in different periods. We have divided the stages of the evaluation into three periods, the boundaries of which are taken by the memorable dates since the birth of Dokuchaev (100, 150, 175 years). The recognition of Dokuchaev's merits in each period took different forms and depended on the subject under assessment (what was assessed) and the evaluating subject (who made an assessment). The first period is based on the perception of his contemporaries. In the history of natural science, it is hardly possible to find any other scientist, whose works so seamlessly combined theoretical research with its practical application. Dokuchaev's scientific achievements were highly appreciated in Russia and abroad (gold medal of the International Geographical Congress in Paris, special gratitude from the Imperial Free Economic Society, full Makariev Prize of the Imperial Free Economic Society, full Makariev Prize of the Imperial St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, Grand Prix of the World Exhibition in Paris and others). The high state recognition of Dokuchaev is evidenced by the presence of the orders of St. Stanislav and St. Anna. The second period of recognition is associated with the triumph of the scientist's ideas, which were almost completely realized in Russia: a network of research and educational institutions and experimental stations were created, large-scale soil research was carried out, a plan for the transformation of nature was implemented. During this period, events were organized that included: the installation of a monument and a memorial plaque in St. Petersburg, the establishment of a gold medal and an award named after V.V. Dokuchaev, the establishment of grants in universities, the creation of the Central Soil Museum named after V.V. Dokuchaev. The third period is rather a tribute to the scientific merits of the scientist. The highest award of the International Union of Soil Scientists is established (2002); a documentary film dedicated to the 165-th anniversary of the birth of the scientist is released; exhibitions are organized on memorable dates. As recognition of the merits in the creation of a scientific school of fundamental soil science, a scientific conference “Docuchaev conference for young scientists” is organized and held annually. 

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