Entomology in the Royal Apartments: Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich and His Scientific Circle

Abstract

The article discusses the history of research in the field of entomology (lepidopterology, the discipline studying butterflies, Lepidoptera), carried out in the late 19th century by Nikolai Mikhailovich, Grand Duke of Russia (1859–1919), and his closest associates who formed a scientific circle (“kruzhok”). We review the origins of the Grand Dukeʼs fascination with natural science, his research in the field of lepidopterology, and his activities devoted to assembling the largest private collection of butterflies in Russia. Nikolai Mikhailovich’s publications in entomology as well as his work on the voluminous Mémoires sur les Lépidoptères in 9 volumes (1884–1901) are characterized. The authors discuss the motives for creating the Grand Dukeʼs entomological circle, its lines of work and membership, its achievements, and the causes of its dissolution at the very end of the 19th century. Nikolai Mikhailovich together with the small community of enthusiasts, brought together by him, played an important role in the development of entomology (descriptive lepidopterology) in the Russian Empire. The history of the kruzhok’s formation and activities is of undoubted interest for the historians of science as a successful example of the “private” form of organization of scientific research, an alternative to government and public initiatives.