A scholar-statistician and state authority in the early XIX century: on the biography of K. I. Arsenyev (1789-1865)

Abstract

The object of this research is the evolution of statistical science in the Russian Empire in the early XIX century. The author analyzes the peculiarities of interaction between the academic community of statisticians and state authority on the example of career trajectory of the academician K. I. Arsenyev. The research leans on the basic methods of historical science – problem-chronological for studying the time sequence of events; historical-genetic and historical-comparative analysis for determining the key stages of the scholar’s scientific biography, as well as objective and subjective factors that impacted his performance. Special attention is given to the analysis of scientific works of K. I. Arsenyev, which prompted the major statistical discussion that unfolded in pre-reform Russia during the 1818-1819. The author examines the impact of the “Professors’ Case” upon Arsenyev's future career, traces the history of his relationship with the Emperor Nicholas I, and analyzes the scholar’s role in the development of administrative statistics in Russia. In the course of this research, it was established that academic career of Arsenyev is not typical, but rather illustrative for characterizing the status of a scholar-statistician in the first half of the XIX century. The difficulties of undergoing censorship, limited access of the scholars to departmental statistical materials, and risk of being suspected in political unreliability impeded the development of statistics during the indicated period. Patronage of the emperor relieved some of these constraints for Arsenyev; thus, receiving more freedom for scientific pursuits, he achieved impressive results. Overall, the representatives of conservative part of the elite continued to view statistics as a political science, which requires deliberate attention and control of the government.