#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. March 14 marks the birthday of this renowned Russian Arctic researcher, Eduard Vasilyevich Toll (1858 – 1902). A descendant of Baltic Germans, Toll studied at the natural history faculty of the University of Dorpat (now Tartu). In his youth, he traveled through Africa.
In 1885, he took part in Alexander Bunge’s expedition to the New Siberian islands, which lasted a year and a half. The researchers collected an extensive array of fossilized animals and plants – two and a half thousand specimens in total.
In 1893, Toll led an expedition to the shores of the East Siberian sea. There, near cape Holy Nose, he conducted mammoth excavations and established food depots on the East Siberian islands in preparation for Nansen’s planned winter expedition.
Toll mapped the Haraulahsky, Chekanovsky, and Pronchishchev ridges, charted Anabar bay, studied Hatanga bay, and explored the lower reaches of the Anabar river.
In 1899, Toll headed the Russian polar expedition, which began its work in June 1900. Like many other polar explorers, the expedition members held onto the hope of finding Sannikov Land.
On July 5, 1902, Toll left the schooner Zarya accompanied by astronomer Friedrich Zeberg and fur traders Vasily Gorohov and Nikolay Diakonov. They set off for Bennett island, reaching it on August 3. Due to damage, Zarya was unable to approach the island where, it seems, Toll and his companions met their fate. In 1903, a search expedition led by Alexander Kolchak found Toll’s campsite on Bennett island and discovered his diaries, which were subsequently published.
His tragic fate left a profound impact on his contemporaries. Yet, it also marked the end of the search for the elusive Sannikov Land. Despite years of exploration, no one has since been able to glimpse the mysterious mountains. Although Eduard Toll believed in its existence until his dying days, even if he was mistaken, this does not diminish his contributions to Russian science. His achievements truly represent a scientific feat. Yes, they were based on risk rather than careful calculation, but the 32 volumes of published diaries, notes, conclusions, and research constitute a significant scientific legacy that has undeniably made an invaluable contribution to the study of the Russian Arctic.
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Text: Victor Borodin, Photo: Nikolay Shchipko
