Biography
Augustine de Betancourt (Spanish: Agustín de Betancourt y Molina) was born on February 1, 1758 in Spain in the city of Puerto de la Cruz on the island of Tenerife.
The ancestor of his family was the French baron Jean de Betancourt, who with his partner and rival La Salle in 1402-1405 captured the first three Canary islands: Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Hierro. See Canary Islands for more on this.
1778: Moving from the island of Tenerife to Madrid
In 1778, at the age of 20, Augustine de Betancourt left the Canary Islands forever and went to Madrid to study at the Royal College San Isidro.
1783: First balloon flight in Spain
The world's very first balloon was created and lifted into the air by aeronautical inventors the Montgolfier brothers in 1783.
On November 28, 1783, Augustine de Betancourt made his first balloon flight in Spain. The event took place on the outskirts of Madrid in the presence of the king.
1798: Optical telegraph arrangement between Madrid and Cadiz
In 1798, Betancourt was entrusted with the device of an optical telegraph between Madrid and Cadiz and the organization in Spain of a corps of railway engineers. In 1800 he was appointed inspector general of this corps and a member of the board of financial management.
1803: Appointment as Intendant of the Armies and Chief Director of Posts of Spain and acquaintance with the Russian Ambassador
In 1803, Augustine de Betancourt was appointed intendant of the armies and chief director of the posts of Spain.
In 1803, barely arriving in Madrid as the Russian ambassador to Spain, Ivan Matveevich Muravyov Apostle in his message to St. Petersburg wrote about a proposal that at first glance may seem unexpected. He said that he intended to write a report on the state of engineering in Spain, especially in the field of hydraulics and railways (roads and bridges). He justified his initiative by the fact that he had the opportunity to'give an accurate and complete description' as he knew closely'the man who directs these works' and enjoyed his full confidence. The man he meant was Augustine de Betancourt y Molina, then inspector general of roads and canals, whom he called 'the most a wise mechanic not only in Spain but also in Europe '.
At first glance, it may seem surprising that one of the first actions of the newly arrived ambassador was to draw up a report on the technical aspects of road construction, wrote Olga Vilenovna Volosyuk and Concepcion Camarero Bouillon in his article "The Long Road to Russia: Agustin de Betancourt." But we must be mindful of several points that shed light on this question:
1) Muravyov Apostle was the son of a military engineer, that is, he knew what he planned to inform and report about.
2) At that time, there was a great interest in engineering in Russia: a huge territory had to be connected by roads. For this reason, Paul I (1754-1801) issued a series of directives to reform the Engineering Department, to which the Construction Department, founded in 1798, was added. At the head of the latter since 1801 was Nikolai Rumyantsev, an old acquaintance of Muravyov Apostle, whom we will see with Betankur many years later. Moreover, already under Emperor Alexander I, the Faculty of Engineering is being created within the framework of the State Military Corps. It is for these institutions Muravyov Apostle intends to collect information.
3) Only four years of Muravyov Apostle stay in the Russian mission in Madrid coincided with the period of deterioration of relations between Betancourt and Godoy, the almighty minister of Charles IV and the lover of his wife, who actually ruled Spain from 1792 to 1808, with the exception of the period 1798-1801.
In subsequent messages to St. Petersburg, Muravyov, in addition to his report, suggested sending 'technical drawings' and 'engineering layouts'. But, in addition, as follows from the response from St. Petersburg to one of them, it seems that he asked permission to offer Betancourt a responsible position in Russia. In a reply to a letter in which he first mentioned Betancourt, signed by Russian Foreign Minister Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, he is told that: "If you are confident in the merits and skill of Mr. Betancourt, there would be no obstacles to accepting him into the Russian service ', however, with economic conditions" for him to agree to the remuneration paid here to chief engineers in the hydraulic sector, which is up to 8,000 rubles a year. " That is, Muravyov was given freedom of action to begin contacts aimed at hiring Don Augustine. In this, the Russian ambassador competed with France, where Betancourt was asked to take charge of the loading and unloading operations at the ports of Toulon and Marseille, which, obviously, was not enough for the Spanish engineer.
1804: Russian Ambassador to Spain makes an offer to Betancourt to move to serve in Russia
The slowness with which the administration of St. Petersburg reacted to the message of Czartoryski, who arrived at Muravyov the Apostle only in October 1804, contributed to the achievement of the desired goal - to transport Betancourt to Russia.
An important role in this was played by the participation of the engineer in the project to lay the bed of the Genil and Cubillas rivers, in Fuena Vega de Granada, where the Royal Palace of Soto de Roma was located, which was donated by Charles IV to Minister Godoy in 1795.
Having received a message from St. Pertersburg, Muravyov Apostle informed Betancourt of the interest of the Russian court in granting him a post. The engineer expressed his readiness to go to Russia, but set two conditions. First, not to leave immediately, which was justified by the situation of his wife and children and the fear that the fabric and paint factory he owned, located in Avila, would go bankrupt due to his absence. Secondly, that he will be given guarantees that in Russia he will be appointed process engineer, head of all hydraulic structures, which will be managed by ports, arsenals, canals, etc.
1805: Conflict with Spain's ruler Godoy
The work carried out to restore the Genil and Cubillas rivers in La Vega de Granada, which González Tascón considers' one of the most remarkable hydraulic structures Betancourt built ', was accompanied by an engineer's conflict with Godoy. These troubles were the last straw that overflowed Betancourt's cup of patience, the result of which was his decision to accept St. Petersburg's offer and leave Spain to settle in Russia.
Let's see what happened. Downstream of the river Genil, about three leagues from the city of Granada, the royal manor of El Soto de Roma is still preserved, which, as we mentioned, Charles IV handed over to Godoy in 1795.
After the conquest of the Kingdom of Granada (1492), Catholic kings distributed among their nobility the fertile lands of La Vega Grenadina irrigated by the Genil River and its tributaries, but left behind the Crown of El Soto Roma - a wetland with dense forests, a place for hunting and resting the Nasrids - a dynasty of Muslim rulers who ruled the Granada Emirate from 1230 to 1492.
In La Vega de Granada in general and in El Soto in particular occurred a deforestation process that, in a region with an immature hydrographic network, has exacerbated the flood problem. It came to the point that it was impossible to carry out work to align the river bed and its tributaries in La Vega or, as they said at the time, 'tie el-Genil to a reliable support'. This was known back in 1800, but the approval of the work plan and its financing were delayed.
In January 1803, Godoy orders Betancourt to take up the matter and urges him to go to Granada to develop a plan and get to work quickly. To this end, the engineer inspects the area and makes technical report on La Vega de Granadina, which González Tascón defines as a paradigm a careful attitude towards nature, promoting a general policy of restoring forests in the upper reaches and riverbed, which, apparently, did not like the "prince of peace" Godoy and his family.
Among the proposals that concerned the del Soto space was a ban on growing crops in the upper Genil River and the observance, downstream of Granada, of a strip of forests 30 fathoms wide, parallel to river banks, as well as the consolidation of jurisdiction over this area in one institution or person in order to impede peasants and landowners to perform work on canals that poorly solved one problem and generated another, more serious.
Hydrotechnical work in Soto de Roma begins in June of that year, taking into account the key points:
1) Deepen the river bed in places where the accumulation of gravel and sand lifted its bottom to give the whole course the same slope, smoothing out the main turns or very fast turns, which will achieve almost the same speed for water and avoid strong shocks that can cause damage to the shores.
2) Do not use stone fencing to fortify the banks, but the same gravel fixed by intertwined tree branches to reduce costs and take advantage of the experience, 'which confirms this daily and which was seen in the Genius River itself, "having in to the species, most likely, what Aristegi did in el-Soto half a century earlier.
3) Siphon on the Khotayar River, below the Genil River, to thus eliminate the dams that were made on it to pump water and pass it from one bank to the other through irrigation canals, as they trapped gravel and sand that lifted the riverbed.
Having launched the work, Betancourt transfers them under the leadership of his student Rafael Bauz, who many years later, together with Joaquin Viado and Joaquin Mirror, will also be in Russia.
Problems with Godoy arose due to the fact that some changes in the management of the district, as well as the general philosophy of the plan, must not have liked Don Manuel and the manager whom he appointed to El Soto. In a report dated September 10, 1803, Betancourt already complains to the minister that his manager is constantly making it difficult to carry out the work. Situation continued to heat up, reaching its climax in October 1805, when Godoy completely refused the services of Betancourt and Bauze and transferred the matter to military engineers. Godoy, Prince of Mira and Duke of Alcudia, had no idea that by then Betancourt had long thought of emigrating to Russia.
In 1805, Muravyov-Apostol, for unclear reasons (according to A.S. Pushkin, fell out of favor with the emperor for disclosing inaccurate information about the preparation of the Antipavlovsk conspiracy) was dismissed and did not serve anywhere until 1824.
The report of the Russian ambassador, in which he reports to St. Petersburg on the situation of Betancourt, testifies to the disappointment that prompted him to leave his homeland: "Mr. Betancourt, like all people who have feelings, is disappointed by what is happening in this country." In his letters, Betancourt himself mentions that his departure was caused by hostility to him Prince Peace (one of the titles of Godoy).
Muravyov, in one of his last messages before leaving Spain, wrote of Betancourt's planned move to Russia: 'If it went well, it would be the only good deed I did in Spain. Saving one intelligent man from oblivion and moving to my country will forever be a source of fame and comfort for me in the series of endless disappointments I have experienced during my harrowing time here. '
1807: Cotton Fabric Factory Sale
By April 1807, Betancourt managed to complete his entrepreneurial path as owner Royal Cotton Fabric Factory in Avila. The enterprise was built on the Adaya River at the insistence of Count Arand in early 1789 with the aim of revitalizing the depressed area. The factory managed to conduct sluggish activities in the early years despite the presence of two warehouses at strategic points, Madrid, the seat of the Court, and in Cadiz, a key point of trade with America.
In 1799, the then Minister of Finance, Caetano Soler, sold the factory to Betancourt, who took over the business a year later, promising to pay two million reais over eight years, believing that the introduction advanced technology can make its product more cost-effective. However, despite on the innovations that he is introducing, the factory does not succeed, including because Betancourt had to continue to live in Madrid.
In addition, at the beginning of 1806, political events in Spain became more and more dramatic. Under pressure from Napoleon, Spain declared war on Britain on December 4, 1804. The result of this war was the death of the Spanish-French fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805 and the actual submission of Spain to Napoleon.
Therefore, the engineer began negotiations on the transfer of the factory to the crown, subject to compensation just over 690,000 reais for the investment he has invested in upgrading it.
Negotiations were difficult and initially Betancourt was refused, but finally, in July 1806, he obtained the consent of the court. He had to wait until April 1807 to receive the agreed amount. Thus, the main obstacle that delayed his departure to Russia disappears.
1808: Moving to Russia
At the end of 1807 he arrived in St. Petersburg and stayed there for six months. After a short trip to Paris, Augustine de Betancourt with his wife and four children returned to Russia, where he lived and worked until his death.
1809: Establishment of the Institute of Railway Engineers
Main article: St. Petersburg State University of Railways (PGUPS, formerly LIIZhT)
The main goal of the Institute of Railway Engineers created in St. Petersburg was formulated by its future leader A. A. Betankur in a note to the project of this educational institution:... " to supply Russia with engineers who, right after leaving the institution, could be appointed to carry out all work in the Empire. "
The institute was created as part of the Corps of Railway Engineers in accordance with the highest manifesto of Alexander I of November 20, 1809. The first inspector of the institute was Lieutenant General Betancourt.
Among the first 30 pupils of the institute were the sons of Muravyov-Apostol, the future Decembrists Sergei and Matvey.
Betancourt managed to collect an excellent team of teachers, an extensive library, a little later to create a museum - the institute becomes one of the most respected and prestigious educational institutions in St. Petersburg.
1810: Project of a fountain in Tsarskoye Selo with a sculpture by Pavel Sokolov "Girl with a jug"
The engineer Augustine Betankur was tasked with decorating this space in the Catherine's Park of Tsarskoye Selo "near the terrace where the key water was drawn.
Betancourt's biographer Professor Vladimir Pavlov wrote that the Russian sculptor Academician of the Imperial Academy of Arts Pavel Sokolov turned to the Spanish engineer with a proposal to draft the future fountain with his sculpture "Girl with a Jug." According to Pavlov, Betancourt owns water supply and drainage, the installation of a pedestal and a stone descent to the base, as well as the choice of a place for the installation of the sculpture.
Initially, the sculpture was made of alabaster and only in 1816 or 1817 was replaced by a bronze one.
Lyudmila Doronina in her two-volume history of Russian sculpture wrote that Betancourt was delighted with the sculpture of Pavel Sokolov. Especially for the Spanish engineer (and at his request), the sculptor sculpted a marble copy.
Initially, the architectural composition of the fountain, created by Betancourt, was supplemented by a grotto, which was liquidated in the middle of the 19th century.
1812: Draga Betancourt is used to deepen the water area of the Kronstadt port and prepare a fairway between Kronstadt and St. Petersburg
The drag designed by Betancourt in 1812 was made according to the drawings of Betancourt at the Izhora plant and was used to deepen the water area of the Kronstadt port and prepare a fairway between Kronstadt and St. Petersburg. The drag was the world's first excavator, with a capacity 50 times higher than the best European dredging machines.
1816: Chairman of the Committee on Urban Buildings of the Russian Empire
Since 1816, Betancourt served as chairman of the committee of city buildings and hydraulic work.
The Committee, which worked under the leadership of Betancourt, approved the projects of all new residential and public buildings and developed "exemplary" projects for them, supervised the construction not only in the capital, but throughout the Russian Empire, and also oversaw the construction of bridges, embankments and sidewalks.
1816: Invitation to the work of architects Rossi and Montferrand and transformation of the appearance of St. Petersburg
The duties of the Committee included the development of proposals for the planning and development of St. Petersburg, its districts, the laying of new streets and the "leveling" of old ones, the redevelopment of existing ones and the organization of new areas, the placement of monumental structures on them.
In 1816, Betancourt invited Karl Rossi to the Committee, thanks to the support of Betancourt Rossi, he soon became the first court architect.
Under the direct leadership of Betancourt, the works of the Committee members, Palace Square is being reconstructed in St. Petersburg, Senatskaya Square is being transformed and Suvorovskaya and Rumyantsevskaya Squares, the ensemble of Ostrovsky Square and Zodchoy Rossi Street are being created.
K. Rossi builds administrative buildings of the General Staff and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Finance with the Arc de Triomphe - a magnificent monument of the Patriotic War of 1812, designs an ensemble of Senate and Synod buildings, erects the building of the Alexandrinsky Theater and an ensemble of buildings on Zodchoy Rossi Street and Lomonosov Square. He builds the building of the Public Library, builds an ensemble around the Mikhailovsky Palace, designs architecturally unified development of entire streets and squares with public and residential buildings and erects many other structures, including the reconstruction of Nevsky Prospekt.
Under the leadership of Betancourt, a network of cast-iron bridges is being created: Panteleimonovsky bridge over the Fontanka River, Engineering, Sadovy, Teatralny, Konyushenny over the Moika, bridges over the Lebyazhya Groove, which determined the modern appearance of St. Petersburg.
1817: Construction of the Manege in Moscow and the Fair in Nizhny Novgorod
The Moscow Manege - an indoor room for military exercises in cold and inclement weather, a monumental building in the style of classicism, was built in Moscow in 1816-1817 according to the project of Augustine Betancourt.
The unique design of rafters and 30 wooden trusses made it possible to make the building 45 meters wide without internal supports, with support only due to walls. For that time, it was a unique engineering solution. The area of the Manezh built was about 7.5 thousand m ², it accommodated more than 2 thousand people.
On August 16 (28), 1816, a fire broke out, which destroyed the living room in Nizhny Novgorod, with all the temporary booths.
Realizing the importance of building a new economic center, Emperor Alexander I postponed the reconstruction of the Winter Palace, directing the money allocated for this to build a fair. In total, 6 million rubles were allocated from the treasury for the construction of the living room. Construction was led by Augustine Betancourt.
For details on the unique project, see Nizhny Novgorod Fair.
1818: Management of the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral
In 1816, Alexander I instructed Betancourt to prepare a project for the reconstruction of St. Isaac's Cathedral, who proposed to entrust the project to the young architect Auguste Montferrand, who had come to Russia from France shortly before. Betancourt presented to Alexander I 24 drawings of buildings of various architectural styles prepared by Montferrand. The emperor liked the drawings, and soon a decree was signed appointing Montferrand as "imperial architect."
Construction management was entrusted to a special commission, in which A. Betancourt was entrusted with the management of the construction work itself, the solution of all technical issues and the management of the actions of the architect.
Betancourt owns the technical solutions used in the construction of the foundation of the cathedral and the installation of the columns of the four porticoes of the cathedral. Work on the construction of the foundation began in 1818. Trenches were dug for new parts of the foundation, from which water was pumped out. Then, tarred pine piles with a diameter of 26-28 cm and a length of 6.5 m were vertically driven into the soil. After that, all trenches were connected to each other and flooded with water. When the water froze, the piles were cut under one level, calculated from the surface of the ice. According to Montferrand, 12,130 spruce piles were driven under the foundation. In total, only the construction of the foundation took about five years.
Betancourt developed a system for raising and installing columns for St. Isaac's Cathedral in 1822, before the suspension of the construction of the cathedral. The forest drawings developed on the basis of the Betancourt project were approved by the commission on June 15, 1828. To raise the columns and install them on the porticoes, special forests were built. The installation of one 17-meter column weighing 114 tons took about 45 minutes. The first of 48 columns of porticoes was installed on March 20, 1828, the last on August 11, 1830.
1819: Director of the Main Directorate of Railways in the Committee of Ministers of the Russian Empire
In 1819, Augustine Betancourt became director of the Main Directorate of Railways and became a member of the Committee of Ministers of the Russian Empire. He served in this post until August 2, 1822.
1824: Death in Petersburg
Augustine de Betancourt died in 1824 and was buried in the Smolensk Lutheran cemetery in St. Petersburg.
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