Professional contacts of G.N. Potanin and V.V. Sapozhnikov in end XIX - beginningXX centuries

The article is devoted to the problem of socially significant contacts between the two outstandingfigures in Siberia early XX century - Professor of Imperial Tomsk University V.V. Sapozhnikov and famous domestic geography, biology,social activist G.N. Potanin. They were tied scientific interests, social work, political activities. In 1863-1864, Potanin participated in theexpedition of the Russian Geographical Society on the lake Zaisan and the ridge Tarbagatai. In 1876-1877 and 1879-1880 years he made anexpedition to the north-western Mongolia and Tuva, in 1884-1886 and 1892-1893 years - In northern China, eastern Tibet, centralMongolia, and in 1899 - on the Great Hinggan. Geography expeditions Sapozhnikov was similar. As a tireless traveler, he is in 1895-1923years made more than 20 expeditions to the Altai, in Sayan, Seven Rivers, western Mongolia, for Zaisan, in Turkish Armenia. He first cameto the saddle of the main peak of the Altai - Belugas, determine the height of the mountain and other peaks. He discovered a number of newlarge glaciers in the Chu and proteins in the mountains Ukok. He gathered a considerable collection of flora and fauna. If as travelers Potaninand Sapozhnikov divorced in time and related to both the predecessor and successor, in the framework of community activities two tomichworked in direct contact. At the beginning of the century Potanin and Sapozhnikov represents that part of the Siberian Society, whichinitiated the development of education in the Asian part of Russian Empire. Both scientists took an active part in the «projects», like attemptto organize the Tomsk Department of the Russian Geographic Society, the creation of the Siberian higher women's courses, the institution ofthe University of Irkutsk. Another field in which Potanin and Sapozhnikov had come into contact, was politics. In the fall of imperialauthority and the Civil War, two scientists as prominent and well known public figures were to participate in the anti-Bolshevikgovernments.

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