Baron Ferdinand Wrangel was a Russian explorer born in Pskov on
9 January 1797. From
1829 to 1835, he was
governor of the Russian settlements in America;
he also held positions as
director of the Russian American Company (1840-49), and naval minister (1855-57).
In
1855, there was concern that the Russian American Company would attack the
defenceless state of Vancouvers Island
since they had colonies in surrounding areas of North America, primarily in Alaska
and California. These concerns were allayed after the Hudson's Bay Company signed a
reciprocal neutrality agreement with the Russian American Company.
Wrangel's signature was included on
the official letter establishing their neutrality
sent to the HBC. Wrangel has also been credited with
complet[ing] the mapping of the northeastern coast of Siberia
and helping to
found the Russian Geographical Society.
Wrangel Island in Siberia was named in his honour. Wrangel died in Tartu, Estonia on
6 June 1870.