Feodosii Nikolaevich Chernyshev (1856–1914) and the Geological Mapping of the Donets Coal Basin

The study is devoted to the history of compiling a detailed geological map of the Donets Coal Basin in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.The problem of scientific and industrial development of this region has become especially important for Russia in the era of industrialization.Donts Coal Basin was the main strategic source of fuel in the European part of the country.However, until the end of the 19th century, there were no detailed geological maps of the region that would meet the needs of developing industry and transport.The Geological Committee in St. Petersburg, founded in 1882 under the Mining Department of the Russian Empire, played a key role in solving this problem.One of its leading specialists, the outstanding Russian geologist Feodosii Nikolaevich Chernyshev , was appointed as the head of this colossal project.The purpose of the presented study is to establish the circumstances related to Chernyshev's participation in the work on the compilation of the map, as well as to determine the nature and degree of his influence on the course of events and the final result.The research was based on documents from the fund of the Geological Committee, stored in the Russian State Historical Archive.