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Erik Laxman was born in Savonlinna in 1737. He became a famous scientist in Russia who carried out research in Siberia on botany, climate and minerals. He developed glass manufacturing and participated in scientific discourse on the development of thermometer and steam power. As an explorer of Siberia and European Russia, Laxman contributed for the knowledge of geography and ethnography. As the representative of the Russian Empire, Laxman opened first Russian contacts to Japan. Erik Laxman was educated as Lutheran pastor, but served as a professor of the Russian Imperial Academy of Sciences and a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy.