# Otto von Kotzebue > Baltic German explorer (1787–1846) **Wikidata**: [Q58828](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58828) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_von_Kotzebue) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/otto-von-kotzebue ## Summary Otto von Kotzebue was a Baltic German explorer who lived from 1787 to 1846. He is primarily recognized for his service as a naval officer in the Russian Empire and for leading expeditions that contributed to the geographical understanding of the Pacific and Arctic regions. ## Biography - **Born:** December 30, 1787 - **Died:** February 15, 1846 - **Nationality:** Russian Empire - **Ethnicity:** Baltic German - **Known for:** Leading naval expeditions; geographical exploration - **Occupations:** Explorer, Military Personnel, Land Owner - **Field(s):** Naval exploration, Geography ## Contributions Based on the provided structured data, Otto von Kotzebue is identified as an explorer and naval officer. His career involved conducting voyages on behalf of the Russian Empire, which resulted in the discovery and mapping of new geographical information. Specific details regarding the names of discovered islands or published journals are not present in the source material, but his role as a commander of expeditions is his primary contribution. ## FAQs **What was Otto von Kotzebue's nationality?** Otto von Kotzebue was a subject of the Russian Empire. He is specifically identified as a Baltic German, an ethnic group within the empire. **What professions did Otto von Kotzebue hold?** He held three primary roles: he was an explorer who searched for new information, military personnel serving in an organized armed force, and a land owner with considerable rights of ownership. **Is there a place named after Otto von Kotzebue?** Yes, the city of Kotzebue in Alaska, USA, is linked to him. The city was officially incorporated in 1958. **When was Otto von Kotzebue born and when did he die?** He was born on December 30, 1787, and died on February 15, 1846. ## Why They Matter Otto von Kotzebue matters as a significant figure in the history of Russian and Baltic German exploration. His activities as a commander and explorer during the 19th century aided the Russian Empire's efforts to chart unknown territories, particularly in the Pacific. The naming of Kotzebue, Alaska, after him serves as a lasting geographical legacy of his impact on the exploration of the North American Arctic region, which was part of the Russian Empire's sphere of influence until 1867. ## Notable For - Being a Baltic German explorer in service to the Russian Empire. - Serving as military personnel in the Russian naval forces. - Holding the status of a land owner. - Being the namesake for the city of Kotzebue, Alaska. - Conducting expeditions during the early 19th century (1787–1846). ## Body ### Early Life and Background Otto von Kotzebue was born on **December 30, 1787**. He was of **Baltic German** descent, a significant cultural group within the **Russian Empire**. The Russian Empire, founded in 1721 by Peter the Great, was a sovereign state spanning Eurasia and North America during Kotzebue's lifetime. As a subject of the empire, he operated within a transcontinental power that maintained extensive territories, including **Russian America** (present-day Alaska) until 1867. ### Career and Service Kotzebue's professional life was defined by three distinct roles recorded in the source material: * **Explorer:** He is classified as a person who traveled to search out new information, contributing to the geographical knowledge of the era. * **Military Personnel:** He served as a member of an organized armed military force, corresponding with the Russian Empire's naval operations. * **Land Owner:** He held the status of an owner of land with considerable rights of ownership. His work took place during a period when the Russian Empire was a dominant global power, engaging in various geopolitical interests across Europe, Asia, and North America. ### Legacy and Associated Locations A direct legacy of his exploration is the city of **Kotzebue**, located in Alaska, USA. While Kotzebue himself died in 1846, the city bears his name and was later officially incorporated on **October 14, 1958**. This connection highlights his role in the exploration of the Arctic regions that were once administered by the Russian Empire. ### Historical Context of Nationality Kotzebue's life (1787–1846) occurred entirely within the existence of the **Russian Empire**. During his lifetime, the empire was ruled by monarchs such as **Catherine II** (until 1796), **Paul I** (1796–1801), **Alexander I** (1801–1825), and **Nicholas I** (1825–1855). The empire's capital during his active years was **Saint Petersburg**, and the state religion was the **Russian Orthodox Church**. His identity as a "Baltic German" reflects the diverse demographics of the empire, which included various official languages such as Russian, Polish, Finnish, and Swedish across its different regions. ### External Identifiers and Records Otto von Kotzebue is extensively cataloged in international databases, reflecting his historical significance. His records include: * **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n85384009 * **VIAF ID:** 32746140 * **ISNI:** 0000000116168500 * **GND ID:** 116345330 * **Encyclopædia Britannica ID:** biography/Otto-von-Kotzebue * **Wikidata ID:** Q841568 * **Wikipedia Title:** Otto von Kotzebue ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. International Standard Name Identifier 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. CiNii Research 5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 6. SNAC 7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 8. BnF authorities 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/authorities/69005) 11. CERL Thesaurus 12. Sejm-Wielki.pl 13. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands