Mendel: I Belong to the People (Part 3)

Dmitri Mendeleev has become a famous figure in Russia; whenever he goes out, many admirers often follow him. He is known for his generous, straightforward, and sincere personality, showing warmth even to his servants. Mendeleev is a source of pride for the Russian scientific community and is also the most beloved teacher at St. Petersburg University.

Mendeleev’s lectures are lively and engaging, with his lecture hall always packed with people, even spilling over into surrounding classrooms who come to listen. His teaching covers a wide range of topics, explained in detail, enriched with extensive literary knowledge, and expressed in concise language, making it highly attractive. Everyone thinks “He is like a brilliant orator.”

However, this esteemed scientist was opposed by the Tsarist autocracy.

When a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences passed away, according to the Academy’s regulations, a new member needed to be elected. Many academicians proposed that Mendeleev be elected and asserted: “Mendeleev is fully qualified to be a member of the Academy, and this is something no one can deny.”

However, what everyone did not anticipate was that Mendeleev was not elected to the Russian Academy of Sciences. The ruling powers of the Academy were the Tsarist Government, a regime that sought to subjugate natural sciences, such as philosophy, and turn natural sciences into powerful tools for their agenda. Since Mendeleev had previously participated in demonstrations against the Tsar, the Tsar’s henchmen resorted to unscrupulous tactics to manipulate the election.

Mendeleev felt deeply hurt; he understood that this was not just a personal slight, but also an affront to the Russian people, and a blow to the Tsarist Government for their extreme disdain towards science.

After news of Mendeleev’s failure to be elected spread, many scientists and progressive organizations expressed their opposition, voicing their support for Mendeleev and criticizing the despotic and malicious Tsarist government. Some even wrote letters to Mendeleev stating: “The dark forces of reaction cannot silence the voices of scientists.” Almost all universities in Russia chose him as an honorary professor, and many prestigious academies, such as the London and Paris Academies of Sciences, invited him to be an honorary member, demonstrating global scientific support for him.

Mendeleev felt reassured, stating: “I deeply understand that this is not only an honor for me but also for the Russian people.”

Although Mendeleev was not elected to the Academy of Sciences, science will never submit to authoritarian governments; science belongs to the people, and scientists belong to the people. Mendeleev, despite not being elected, was greeted with thunderous applause when he stepped onto the podium at St. Petersburg University, reflecting the respect of his students for him, with cheers like thunder, embodying the love of students for their remarkable professor, Mendeleev.

Mendeleev felt an immense sense of honor and a heavy responsibility towards history. “To sow the seeds of science for the people to reap a bountiful harvest,” this is a saying that Mendeleev will forever carry in his heart.

“When the seeds of science are sown and sprout, they will bring happiness to the people”
Mendeleev

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End.
Back to Part 2: “Mendeleev: Courageously Soaring into the Sky”
Back to Part 1: “The Miraculous Prediction – The Birth of Mendeleev’s Periodic Table”