Mikhail Vasil’evich Lomonosov (1711–1765), Father of Russian Science, on the Tricentennial of His Birth

Mikhail Vasil’evich Lomonosov (1711–1765) was the undisputed founder of Russian science, who, if he had been born in the West, would have been recognized as a universal genius, yet his name still remains largely unknown, particularly outside Russia. One of the most educated men of his time, Lomonosov was a true Renaissance man who played a crucial role in Russian culture and science. The tricentennial of the birth of this first great Russian scientist provides us with an ideal opportunity to bring to this unjustly neglected scholar the wider recognition that his pioneering contributions so richly deserve.