Vladimir Tikhomirov

Vladimir Vladimirovich Tikhomirov (; 25 October 1915 – 13 January 1994) was a Soviet and Russian geologist and historian of geoscience. He specialized in the regional geology of the Caucasus, stratigraphy, and tectonics, but is best known as a founder and organizer of the discipline of history of geology. He established the first dedicated academic unit for the history of geology in the USSR and was a founder and the first president of the International Commission on the History of Geological Sciences (INHIGEO).

Biography Tikhomirov was born in Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg) in 1915. His father, Vladimir Ivanovich Tikhomirov (1881–1961), was a professor of physical chemistry and an Honored Scientist of the Azerbaijan SSR. In 1920, the family moved to Baku.

He began working as a laboratory assistant at the Azerbaijan Petroleum Institute in 1931. In 1932, he entered the Geological Prospecting Faculty of the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute in Baku. As a student from 1935 to 1937, he participated in geological mapping in the Caucasus under the guidance of V. E. Khain, studying Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits and olistostromes. He graduated with distinction in 1938.

In 1953, he founded the influential publication series "Essays on the History of Geological Knowledge" (Ocherki po istorii geologicheskikh znaniy), serving as its editor until 1992. That same year, he was also urged by Academician Vladimir Obruchev in letters to continue work in the history of geology. In January 1955, he was approved as a professor in the history of geological sciences. His co-authored textbook on the history of geology was translated into Chinese and had a significant impact on spreading the discipline.

He also served as: Chairman of the Commission on Geological Knowledge of the USSR (from 1958). Scientific consultant for geology for the 3rd edition of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1970–1978). Editor-in-chief of the 50-volume reference work "Geological Knowledge of the USSR" (1969–1992). Advisor to the Directorate of GIN AN SSSR (from 1988) and later at the Vernadsky State Geological Museum (from 1991).

Vladimir Tikhomirov died in Moscow on 13 January 1994. His official farewell was held at the Geological Institute RAS, and he was buried at the Troyekurovskoye Cemetery (section 3).

Awards and honors

State and academic awards Tikhomirov received numerous awards for his military service, scientific work, and contributions to education: : 1955: Member of the Commission on Geological Knowledge of the USSR 1965: Member of the International Academy of the History of Science (corresponding member 1963–1965) 1967: Founder and first president of INHIGEO (International Commission on the History of Geological Sciences) 1974: Foreign Corresponding Member of the Madrid Academy of Doctors 1976: Honorary Member of the Geological Society of the GDR 1981: Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences (Department of Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry)

Legacy 1998: A fossil species of ostracod was named in his honor. .

(In two parts)