Otto Yulyevich Shmidt

Otto Yulyevich Shmidt (born Sept. 30 [Sept. 18, Old Style], 1891, Mogilyov, Russia—died Sept. 7, 1956, Moscow) was a Soviet scientist and explorer responsible for the Soviet program of exploration and exploitation of Arctic resources; through his many activities he exercised a wide and diverse influence on Soviet life and thought. Professor of mathematics at the University of Moscow from 1926 until his death, Shmidt became director of the Arctic Institute (1930) and head of...