THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE U.S.S.R

Abstract

The Academy of Science of the U.S.S.R. was founded by Peter the Great on January 22, 1724 (Old Style), but began functioning on November 2, 1725 (Old Style) after Peter's death. Its establishment was part Peter the Great's scheme of wide-spread cultural and industrial reforms intended to bring Russia into line with the Western European States. In the draft of the structure and functions of the Academy, Peter was guided by the examples of the Royal Society of London and the Paris Academy of Sciences. In commemoration of the 220th anniversary of its existence the Academy has published a substantial, well printed and handsomely illustrated volume entitled : "220 years of the Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R., 1945"(Moscow and Leningrad, Acad. of Sci. U.S.S.R., 1945). It is a pity that the book is published only in Russian, with no English or French version, for it provides detailed and easily accessible information concerning the structure of the Academy and its membership.