Louis Delil de la Croyere
France- Joseph-Nicolas Delisle de la Croyère
- Russian Expeditions
- Kamchatka Expedition
- Tensions and Disputes
- Death and Legacy
Joseph-Nicolas Delisle de la Croyère
Early Life and CareerJoseph-Nicolas Delisle de la Croyère was a renowned French astronomer. He was invited to the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences in 1726 at the recommendation of his brother, Jean-Nicolas Delisle, a professor of astronomy who supervised cartography projects.
Russian Expeditions
Delisle de la Croyère served as the leader of the first Russian astronomical and geodetic expedition, tasked with determining the geographical coordinates of various points in Northern European Russia. He conducted observations in Arkhangelsk and the Kola Peninsula from 1727 to 1729, providing valuable data on the geography of the White Sea region.
Kamchatka Expedition
In 1732, Delisle de la Croyère volunteered to participate in the Kamchatka Expedition as an astronomer and geographer. However, his performance during the expedition was marred by controversies. He chose an enigmatic foreigner, Francis Locadelli, as his companion, leading to Locadelli's arrest and deportation. Delisle de la Croyère's observations were also deemed unreliable due to his limited knowledge.
Tensions and Disputes
Conflicts with other expedition members, including Ivan Gmelin and Gerhard Müller, escalated. Delisle de la Croyère eventually abandoned the main group and traveled to Kamchatka on his own in 1737. He accompanied Georg Wilhelm Steller on the packet boat "Saint Apostle Paul" to the shores of America under the command of Alexei Chirikov.
Death and Legacy
Tragically, Delisle de la Croyère died of scurvy upon the ship's return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. He was buried in the city and remembered as a pioneering astronomer who played a role in exploring the vast territories of Russia.
