At the end of the 18th century the Russian Empire included Belarus, the Right-Bank Ukraine, Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the lands between the Bug and Dniester. Russia ”took under its patronage” Georgia, Russian America - Alaska - appeared. In addition, the unexplored Urals and Siberia beckoned with their wealth. The new lands required detailed research ”economically, economically, geographically and in other respects”. One of those who Alexander I put in charge of this undertaking was Vasily Severgin, elected professor of the Academy of Sciences at the age of 27.