Alexander Sibiryakov

Alexander Mikhaylovich Sibiryakov (Russian: Алекса́ндр Миха́йлович Сибиряко́в) (born in Irkutsk on October 8 (September 26) 1849– died in 1933) was a Russian gold mine owner and explorer of Siberia.

Sibiryakov graduated from a polytechnic school in Zurich, Switzerland. Later in life, he financed the polar expeditions of Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld and A.V.Grigoriev. He also sponsored the publication of works on Siberia's history. In 1880, he made an attempt to enter the Yenisei estuary through the Kara Sea on a schooner. In 1884, Sibiryakov reached the Pechora estuary on the "Nordenskiöld" steamer and proceeded up the river. He then crossed the Urals using reindeers and reached Tobolsk by the Tobol River. Sibiryakov contributed significantly to Siberia's economic development.

Sibiryakow Island, an island in the Kara Sea at the mouth of the Yenisey estuary, and the Russian icebreaker Sibiryakov are named after him.

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