In the second half of November, 1906 the press wrote that under a decree
signed by the Emperor, the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Imperial Geographic
Society, Pyotr Semyonov and his descendants had been granted the right
to add to their family name the name of a locality in Central Asia, Tian
Shan, which he had explored during his courageous travel accomplished in
1856-1857.
Semyonov-Tianshansky was a unique phenomenon in Russia’s science, culture
and public life in the second half of the 19th and early 20th century.
He was a bold traveller, famous geographer, long standing chairman of the
country’s Geographic Society, participant in the endeavours to draft the
law on abolishing serfdom, founder of Russia’s Statistics Service, art
critic and collector of paintings by Dutch masters.
 Pyotr
Semyonov was born in 1827 into a noble family. In accordance with the family
traditions he joined St.Petersburg’s School for Guards Ensigns and Cavalry
Cadets, but never entered the military service. He dreamed of becoming
a naturalist and joined St.Petersburg University as a botany major. His
passion for geography and acquaintance with prominent scientists led him
to the Russian Geographic Society. He was entrusted with translating the
extensive work by the German scientist Karl Ritter on land ownership in
Asia. That work greatly impressed Semyonov and made him interested
in that area. He dreamed of travelling in the Tian Shan mountains which,
translated from Chinese, meant Heavenly Mountains. No European had travelled
there before, and information about them was scanty. Caravan ways to the
East lay across that mountain range since the times of the Roman Empire,
and the traces of ancient oriental civilization could be found there. Semyonov
filled a request to organize an expedition to the Tian Shan mountains,
and received the necessary permission. At that time a tragedy befell him
– his beloved wife died. He found it hard to recover from that misfortune.
“If your life seems useless to you, it can be sacrificed for the benefit
of your Motherland and science” - Semyonov said. Preparations for the expedition
absorbed him totally. It was a grandiose and perilous enterprise, since
the territories adjoining the proposed route were engulfed in feuds between
numerous local khans and tribes. Those tribes were extremely suspicious
of foreigners. They were known to have captured travellers, subjected them
to torture and put to death. This is what happened to Semyonov’s friend
Adolf Schlaginveit who had tried to reach the Tian Shan Mountains from
their southern slopes.
Semyonov began his travel in the spring of 1856. He used the big Siberian
Road to reach West Siberia’s administrative center Omsk. His further route
lay through the Altai Mountains and Kyrgyz plains to Ala-Tau. When Semyonov
saw the first mountain range of the Heavenly Mountains, the Trans Ili Ala-Tau,
its beauty fascinated him. He hastened to reach Issyk-Kul Lake. His road
lay across the Issyk Valley which boasted hawthorns, wild apple and apricot
trees. While crossing the valley Semyonov watched the zone of wild orchards
being replaced with Tian Shan spruces and then with alpine meadows. He
collected a herbarium, explored the local soils and mountain rocks. Soon
his expedition reached the Issyk-Kul Lake, and the travellers were fascinated
to see it was so rich in fish. There they met with an unexpected obstacle:
the Khan of Kokand, who was supported by Britons, resisted the Russian
penetration into Asia. Besides, the local tribes were at war. It was dangerous
to go on with the expedition. 
Having spent the winter in Altai, in the spring of 1857 Semyonov set out
for Tian Shan once again. He was accompanied by a painter, Pavel Kashkarev.
This time the expedition was a success. Semyonov was returning to St. Petersburg
with priceless materials. He already looked forward to working with them.
In the meantime important events were taking place in Russia. They called
for his active participation even though he was extremely busy. Serfdom
was about to be abolished, and Semyonov was invited to join the Committee
on Peasants’ Affairs as an expert.
There are three kinds of geographers: travellers, explorers of countries
and organizers. Semyonov combined all these three qualities. An honourary
member of Russia’s Academy of Sciences and Deputy Chairman of the country’s
Geographic Society, he did much to develop Russian sciences. Thanks to
him various expeditions were organized within the country and beyond it.
1906 marked 50 years since his first travel to the Tian Shan Mountains.
On the occasion of the jubilee he was awarded with the title of Tianshansky.
He lived a long and fruitful life, and died at the age of eighty eight.
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