Andrey Bolotov is a Russian writer, memoirist, moral philosopher, scientist, botanist and forester. One of the founders of agronomy and pomology in Russia did a lot for the recognition of tomatoes and potatoes as agricultural crops in Russia.
An extraordinary upsurge in Russia began after Peter's reforms. Contacts with other countries expanded, the Russian nobles did not confine themselves to the circle of estates. The way of thinking of the Russian people has also changed. This was confirmed by the example of Andrei Timofeevich Bolotov. In the essay "The Life and Adventures of Andrei Bolotov, described by him for his descendants" the author outlined significant, interesting, in his opinion, events.
Searching for a vocation
The biography of the future figure began in 1738. The child was born on October 7 (18) in the village of Dvoryaninovo, Tula province. The child was educated at home. His father studied arithmetic, geography, German and French with him.
Thirteen-year-old Andrey was sent to study in St. Petersburg. After several months, the training was discontinued. In 1755, the youth began military service in the Arkhangelsk infantry regiment. Two years later, he took part in the Seven Years War and saw many battles. His unchanged position was the position of a close witness of events and an observer. Bolotov was notable for his imaginative thinking, the ability to vividly convey everything he saw.
Andrei Timofeevich in 1757 became a translator under the Prussian Governor-General of Corfe. In Konigsberg, Bolotov has collected an excellent library; at the local university, the young man attended lectures. At the same time, a passion for science began. After his transfer to St. Petersburg in 1762, Korf offered Bolotov the post of adjutant. However, Andrei Timofeevich was burdened by the noise of metropolitan life. He dreamed of doing science.
Catherine the Second freed the nobles from compulsory military service by her decree. Bolotov was able to retire and returned to Dvoryaninovo. The neglected estate quickly took on a flourishing appearance. The owner planted orchards, bred new varieties of pears and apples, was fond of agriculture.
He constantly described his experiments in the Proceedings of the Free Economic Society, of which he became a participant in the late autumn of 1766. His labors received awards several times.
All facets of talent
12 years later, Bolotov became the manager of the empress's estates in the volosts near Moscow. They opened a boarding house and a volost school there. A plan for the development of Bogoroditsk was developed, a regular park was laid out, which was admired in Peterhof. The Travel Palace was also rebuilt.
Bolotov first tried the local limestone for treatment. The scientist is called not only a physiotherapist because of his use of an electric machine to treat 43 diseases, but also a homeopath.
The love of travel was the reason for the invention of travel provisions. The scientist evaporated the soups, and dried the remaining jellied meat in a rag, getting "bouillon cubes". The sliced potatoes were also dried. So Bolotov invented the first chips.
In 1797, Andrei Timofeevich retired again. He returned to the estate. Since that time, the scientist and writer did not leave his possessions. He managed to get married. Alexandra Mikhailovna Kaverina became his chosen one. On July 4, 1764, the young people became husband and wife. The family had eight children.
Science and Literature
Bolotov took up scientific articles and literary creativity. However, he considered agriculture to be the main thing. Andrey Timofeevich developed new rules and methods of soil fertilization and land use. Andrei Timofeevich debunked myths about the toxicity of tomatoes and potatoes, and achieved active cultivation of these crops in Russia.
He was engaged in afforestation, arrangement of meadows. Bolotov made an invaluable contribution to the cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables. After receiving the seeds of a new variety, trials began, patiently selecting the best conditions. According to the reference books compiled by him, modern agronomists study to this day.
It was Bolotov who designed and manufactured a coded wooden lock. They opened the wheels with letters. The number of combinations exceeded several hundred. Scientists have invented and introduced many devices and tools stored in the estate-museum.
To increase the accessibility of the materials presented, the publication of a special magazine "Rural Resident" was started. From 1780 to 1789, Andrei Timofeevich kept an appendix to Moskovskie vedomosti. Novikov offered the job. He also submitted the idea of publishing the first agricultural magazine in Russia "Economic Magazine", published since 1780. The publication came out for 10 years, in a set - 49 volumes.
The activist also left the most unique work "Images and descriptions of different kinds of apples and pears" with hundreds of watercolor drawings.
Observations
Bolotov wrote "Children's philosophy, or moralizing conversations between a lady and her children." The essay became the first collection of stories in the country for reading aloud and discussion with the necessary recommendations for young mothers.
Thanks to the author, the development of children's literature and drama began in Russia. Comedies were created, which became one of the first representatives of their genre in Russian literature.
Bolotov was a very tidy man. He wrote daily memoirs, recording in detail the course of each experiment. He also kept weather records. The “Books of Meteorological Observations” contains 52-year observations carried out every day. The data was transferred to the Academy of Sciences by one of the scientist's sons. The publication has become a valuable source.
In 1789, work began on his memoirs. The author bound each volume of the manuscript, provided each with endings, headpieces, and supplemented with skillful pen drawings. The work lasted 3 decades, ending in 1822.
The writer and scientist passed away in 1833, on October 3 or 4. The memoir tradition was continued by his son Pavel, then by his grandson Mikhail Pavlovich. He completed the memories of the activities and life of the famous scientist, inventor and writer.
