Nikita Akinfiyevich Demidov
Encyclopedia
Nikita Akinfiyevich Demidov (September 8, 1724 – 1789) was a Russia
n industrialist and arts patron.
He was the younger son of Akinfiy Demidov
, brother of Prokofi Demidov
and father of Nikolai Demidov.
Inheriting mines and metallurgical factories in the Urals and Siberia (he left eight such factories, a huge annual income and 12,000 serfs to his son Nikolay on his death), he was also a major landowner, with properties in central and southern Russia and in Italy. He was an amateur scientist, the first member of the Demidov
family to protect the arts actively and a major traveller, journeying abroad to see Europe's industrial innovations, manners and culture. In 1786 he published a Journal of his foreign travels, and also corresponded with Voltaire
and Diderot. In 1779 he set up a medal to reward a success in mechanics, to be decided by the Russian Academy of Sciences
.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n industrialist and arts patron.
He was the younger son of Akinfiy Demidov
Akinfiy Demidov
Akinfiy Nikitich Demidov was a Russian industrialist of the Demidov family.-Life:He was the eldest son of Nikita Demidov and increased the family fortune, raising it to one of Russia's most important industrial dynasties. He set up at least 9 steel foundries and munitions factories from 1717 to...
, brother of Prokofi Demidov
Prokofi Demidov
Prokofi Akinfiyevich Demidov was a Russian industrialist and philanthropist.The eldest son of Akinfiy Demidov, Prokofi inherited the enormous Demidov family fortune on his father's death in 1745...
and father of Nikolai Demidov.
Inheriting mines and metallurgical factories in the Urals and Siberia (he left eight such factories, a huge annual income and 12,000 serfs to his son Nikolay on his death), he was also a major landowner, with properties in central and southern Russia and in Italy. He was an amateur scientist, the first member of the Demidov
Demidov
The Demidov family, also Demidoff, were an influential Russian merchant, industrialist and later chivalry family, possibly second only to the Tsar himself in wealth during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.-History:...
family to protect the arts actively and a major traveller, journeying abroad to see Europe's industrial innovations, manners and culture. In 1786 he published a Journal of his foreign travels, and also corresponded with Voltaire
Voltaire
François-Marie Arouet , better known by the pen name Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, free trade and separation of church and state...
and Diderot. In 1779 he set up a medal to reward a success in mechanics, to be decided by the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
.