Mikhail Annenkov

Mikhail Annenkov was a Russian engineer and explorer who played a significant role in the expansion of the Russian Empire in Central Asia. He graduated from the Corps of Railway Engineers in 1856 and participated in the construction of several railways in Russia and Europe. He also served in the Russian army during the Crimean War and the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. He was awarded the Order of St. George and the Order of St. Vladimir for his military achievements. In 1880, he was appointed as the chief engineer of the Transcaspian Railway, which was intended to connect the Caspian Sea with the Amu Darya river and secure the Russian control over the region. He supervised the construction of the railway from 1881 to 1886, overcoming many difficulties and challenges, such as harsh climate, hostile tribes, and lack of resources. He also conducted extensive geographical and ethnographic studies of the area, producing detailed maps and sketches, as well as scientific publications. He was the first European to explore the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountains, and he discovered several ancient ruins and monuments. He also established friendly relations with the local rulers and peoples, such as the Emir of Bukhara and the Turkmen tribes. He was honored by the Russian Geographical Society and the Royal Geographical Society for his contributions to the exploration of Central Asia. He later became involved in the planning of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which was his lifelong dream. He died of pneumonia in 1899, at the age of 63. He was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. He is widely regarded as one of the most prominent and influential engineers and explorers of his era.