Adam Johann von Krusenstern and the Atlas of the Pacific Ocean

“Moving beyond the received image of Adam Johann von Krusenstern as Russia’s first circumnavigator, this innovative study reveals Krusenstern's diverse and important work in the geographical sciences in the first half of the nineteenth century. The book will be an invaluable work for anyone interested in the history of Russian imperialism, Russia’s relationship with Europe and the intimate connections between nineteenth-century science, exploration and empire.”

—Simon Werrett, Professor of the History of Science, University College London, UK

This book explores Adam Johann von Krusenstern’s work in the service of the Russian Empire in broadening knowledge of the world's oceans. It focuses primarily on the hydrography and geography of the Pacific Ocean in the first half of the nineteenth century; this work resulted in the Atlas of the Pacific Ocean, a leading hydrographic study.

This volume explores Krusenstern's biography, scientific legacy and international networks, highlighting his contribution to hydrographical sciences. His life provides an entry point into a wider assessment of the role of Baltic German explorers originating from the Governorate of Estonia who left a significant mark on global maritime, geographic and scientific history, yet have been relatively unacknowledged in scholarship. This book highlights Adam Johann von Krusenstern’s contribution as a leading Baltic German maritime and scientific figure and sheds new light into connections with his Russian and European counterparts.

Feliks Gornischeff is a researcher and curator at the Estonian Maritime Museum Foundation. He has studied the role of Baltic Germans in the service of the Russian Empire during the early nineteenth century and curated numerous exhibitions on maritime history.