Lavrenty Zagoskin
Lavrenty Alekseyevich Zagoskin (Russian: Лаврентий Алексеевич Загоскин; 21 May 1808 – 22 January 1890) was a Russian naval officer and explorer of Alaska.
Zagoskin was born in 1808 in the Russian district of Penza in a village named Nikolayevka. Even though Nikolayevka was not near the ocean, Zagoskin would eventually train for the Russian Navy and served as a naval officer in the Baltic and Caspian seas. He would subsequently receive training in mineralogy, zoology, botany, and entomology from Russian scientist I.G. Voznesensky.
In 1799, Russia formed the
In 1842 and 1843, Zagoskin traveled extensively on the Yukon, Kuskokwim, Innoko and Koyukuk Rivers all told traveling over 3,300 miles (5,300 km). His journals included details about the native people, their customs, language, and environment in the region all noted with remarkable accuracy.
Zagoskin received national Academy of Science award for his work. To this day, his writing is recognized for its accuracy, quality and insight and is often referenced by local residents, historians, anthropologists, and geographers.
Zagoskin died in Ryazan.
Settlements visited by Zagoskin
- Upper Kalskag, Alaska
- Golovin, Alaska
- Shaktoolik, Alaska
- Selawik, Alaska
- Crow Village, Alaska
- Georgetown, Alaska
- Kwigiumpainukamiut, Alaska
References
- Michael, Henry (Ed.). 1967. Lieutenant Zagoskin's Travels in Russian America
1842-1844. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.