Otto Schmidt

1.1. Early Life and Origins

Schmidt was born on September 30, 1891, in the town of Mogilev in the Russian Empire, a region that is now part of Belarus. His family background reflected the multi-ethnic composition of the Russian Empire; his father was a descendant of German settlers who had settled in Courland, while his mother was of Latvian descent.

1.2. Education

Schmidt's formal education began with his graduation from a high school in Kiev in 1909. He then pursued higher studies at Kiev University, where he focused on physics and mathematics. He graduated from the university in 1913. Following his graduation, he continued his academic career at Kiev University, working as a privat-docent starting from 1916. He later became a professor at the Second Moscow State University and subsequently at Moscow State University, where he continued to teach until 1956. From 1930 to 1932, he also served as the head of the Arctic Institute.

1.3. Political Affiliation and Early Career

Schmidt's involvement in politics began with his membership in the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (Internationalists) in 1918. This party was later integrated into the Russian Communist Party, making Schmidt a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Following the October Revolution of 1917, Schmidt rapidly ascended to influential positions within various Soviet government bodies, known as People's Commissariats (Narkomats). From 1918 to 1920, he served as a board member at Narkomprod (the People's Commissariat for Supplies). He then transitioned to the People's Commissariat for Finance (Narodnyi Komissariat Finansov), where he was a board member from 1921 to 1922. Additionally, he held a position at the People's Commissariat for Education (Narkompros) from 1919 to 1932.

Schmidt was a significant advocate for the development of higher education, publishing, and scientific research in Soviet Russia. He worked at the State Scientific Board under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and was also involved with the Communist Academy. In October 1921, he was appointed Chair of the Foreign Literature Committee. Between 1921 and 1924, he served as the director of the State Publishing House (Gosizdat). His most notable publishing role was as the chief editor of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, a position he held from 1924 to 1941.

2.1. Scientific and Academic Contributions

In the field of mathematics, Schmidt made early and foundational contributions to group theory. His work in 1912-1913, while still a university student, laid the groundwork for the development of the Krull-Schmidt theorem. He was also a founder and long-time director of the Moscow Algebra School, a significant academic institution for algebraic research.

In geophysics, Schmidt organized the Institute of Theoretical Geophysics within the Soviet Academy of Sciences, serving as its director until 1949. This institute became a key center for geophysical research.

His interests extended to astronomy and cosmogony. In the mid-1940s, Schmidt proposed a groundbreaking new cosmogonical hypothesis concerning the formation of the Earth and other planets within the Solar System. He continued to develop this hypothesis with a group of Soviet scientists until his death.

Beyond his direct research, Schmidt played a crucial role in the organization and dissemination of scientific knowledge. As the chief editor of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia from 1924 to 1941 (or 1926-1941 according to some sources), he oversaw the creation of a monumental work that synthesized knowledge across various disciplines. He is also credited with coining the term for the double bond rule, a concept primarily relevant in chemistry.

2.2. Arctic Exploration and Leadership

Schmidt was a renowned explorer of the Arctic and a leading figure in the Soviet Union's efforts to master the Northern Sea Route. From 1932 to 1939, he was appointed head of Glavsevmorput' (Glavnoe upravlenie Severnogo Morskogo Puti), an organization responsible for overseeing all commercial and scientific operations along the Northern Sea Route.

He led several pivotal Arctic expeditions:

• In 1929 and 1930, he commanded expeditions on the steam icebreaker Georgy Sedov. During these voyages, he established the first scientific research station on Franz Josef Land, explored the northwestern parts of the Kara Sea and the western coasts of Severnaya Zemlya, and discovered several new islands.
• In 1932, Schmidt's expedition on the steam icebreaker Sibiryakov, under the command of Captain Vladimir Voronin, achieved a historic feat: a non-stop voyage from Arkhangelsk to the Pacific Ocean without wintering. This marked the first time in history that such a journey was completed.
• From 1933 to 1934, Schmidt again led a voyage along the Northern Sea Route, this time on the steamship Cheliuskin, also with Captain Vladimir Voronin.
• In 1937, he supervised an airborne expedition that successfully established the "North Pole-1" drift-ice station, the world's first manned drifting research station. In 1938, he was personally in charge of the challenging operation to evacuate the station's personnel from the drifting ice.

2.3. Political and Administrative Roles

Beyond his scientific and exploration endeavors, Otto Schmidt held significant political and administrative positions within the Soviet government. He was a member of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, a key governing body. He also served as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR during its first convocation, holding this position from 1938 to 1946. From 1939 to 1942, Schmidt served as a vice-president of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, where he played an instrumental role in shaping the direction of Soviet science.

6.1. Honours and Awards

For his extensive contributions and achievements, Otto Schmidt was awarded numerous high honours by the Soviet authorities. These include:

• Hero of the Soviet Union, bestowed on June 27, 1937.
• Order of Lenin, three times.
• Order of the Red Banner of Labour, twice.
• Order of the Red Star.
• He also received many other medals.

6.2. General Assessment

Otto Schmidt is generally assessed as a brilliant and versatile scientist, a visionary explorer, and an an effective administrator. His contributions significantly advanced mathematics, geophysics, and cosmogony. His leadership in Arctic exploration opened up the Northern Sea Route for navigation and scientific research, laying the groundwork for further development in the region. His efforts in establishing academic institutions, such as the Institute of Theoretical Geophysics and the Moscow Algebra School, and his role as chief editor of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia, underscore his commitment to fostering scientific development and education within the Soviet Union. His multifaceted career left an indelible mark on Soviet science and exploration.

8.1. Named Places and Institutions

Numerous geographical features, institutions, and even a celestial body have been named in his honour:

• Schmidt Island in the Kara Sea.
• Cape Schmidt on the coastline of the Chukchi Sea in Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
• The Institute of Earth Physics at the Soviet Academy of Sciences, which he helped organize.
• A minor planet, 2108 Otto Schmidt, discovered in 1948 by Soviet astronomer Pelageya Shajn, commemorates him.
• The Soviet research vessel Otto Schmidt was named after him in 1979.
• A bust of Otto Schmidt stands in Arkhangelsk, a city with strong ties to Arctic exploration.
• A Soviet stamp dedicated to Otto Schmidt was issued in 1966.