Peter Simon Pallas
Prussian naturalist, decades in the field exploring and documenting the Russian Empire.
Trained in Prussia, Peter Simon Pallas ended up doing most of his fieldwork under the Russian flag. His expeditions swept across the full breadth of Russia, and the notebooks that came back fed zoology, botany, and geology in equal measure. One of his stickier legacies: an entire meteorite type still carries his name.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 22 September 1741
- Birthplace
- Berlin, Prussia
- Died
- 8 September 1811
- Field
- Zoology
- Botany
- Geography
- Geology
- Ethnography
- Natural history
- Philology
- Taxonomy
- Education
- University of Göttingen
- University of Halle
- University of Leiden
- Known for
- Pallasite meteorite; Elevation crater theory
- Author abbrev bot
- Pall.
- Author abbrev zoo
- Pallas
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Peter Simon Pallas was born in Berlin, the son of Professor of Surgery Simon Pallas. He studied with private tutors and attended the University of Halle and the University of Göttingen. He was accompanied by his daughter, his new wife, an artist, servants, and a military escort. He gave his account in P. S. He was then granted permission to leave Russia by Emperor Alexander, and returned to Berlin, where he died in the following year.
Reader's Guide
Peter Simon Pallas's significance lies in his comprehensive exploration and documentation of the natural history and ethnography of the Russian Empire during the late 18th century. Many animals bear his name, and he is commemorated in place names, an asteroid, and a plant genus. His work helped establish Russia as a center of natural history research and influenced later explorers and scientists.
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