Ivan Kuskov

Ivan Alexandrovich Kuskow (Russian Иван Александрович Кусков; * 1765 in Tot'ma, Vologda Governorate, † in October 1823 just there) was navigator, explorer of Alaska and northern California and the founder and ruler of the first Russian settlement in California.

He spent a total of 31 years of his life traveling, explored while Alaska and the entire west coast of North America. Kuskow founded in California, the Russian garrison of Fort Ross, now a national park. Both in Fort Ross, as well as in his hometown Tot'ma in Russia there are Kuskow museums.

Kuskow first went to America in 1790, after he signed a contract with the merchant Alexander Andreyevich Baranov from Kargopol had (now Region Arkhangelsk Oblast ) signed. Later Kuskow right hand Baranov and headed the Russian-American company of as his deputy. The Russian government drew Kuskow 1804 with a medal. In 1806 the title of the Kommerzialbank Council, he was awarded ( in Russia had at that time only five people this high title ). In 1812 he founded the fortress Fort Ross in California. Shortly after his return from America in 1823 he died. His grave is located in the Spaso- Sumorin ( Saviour - Sumorin ) Monastery near Tot'ma.