Count Fyodor Petrovich Litke, born on September 17 (28), 1797, in St. Petersburg and died there on August 8 (20), 1882, was a renowned Russian navigator, geographer, and Arctic explorer. He attained the rank of admiral in 1855 and became the president of the Academy of Sciences in 1864 and 1882.

Fyodor Petrovich was the first count in the Litke family, receiving this title in 1866 for his long service, completion of important assignments, and scientific works that gained recognition in Europe.

In his childhood, Fyodor studied at Meyer’s boarding school, but after his father's death, he was forced to leave his studies as his stepmother did not pay for his education. Until the age of 15, he lived with his uncle F. I. Engel, a member of the State Council. Deprived of systematic education, he, according to his friend Ferdinand Petrovich Wrangel, read numerous books due to his thirst for knowledge and outstanding intellectual abilities.

In 1810, Fyodor's sister married Captain 2nd Rank Ivan Savvich Sul'menev, which determined his fate. During the Patriotic War of 1812, Sul'menev commanded a squadron of gunboats, and Fyodor spent time on the ships, becoming fascinated with books about navigators. Noticing his interest, Sul'menev hired teachers to educate him in mathematics and navigation. Fyodor began his service in Sul'menev's squadron and was awarded a military order insignia for bravery in battles against the French and promoted to midshipman.

In 1817, he embarked on a circumnavigation aboard the sloop "Kamchatka" under the command of Captain V.M. Golovin. In 1821 and 1824, Litke described the shores of Novaya Zemlya and explored the White Sea. His expedition was documented in the book "A Fourfold Journey to the Arctic Ocean in 1821 and 1824" (St. Petersburg, 1828).

In 1826, Litke set off on a circumnavigation aboard the sloop "Senyavin," which lasted three years and became one of the most successful expeditions of the first half of the 19th century. The shores of Kamchatka were explored, new islands were discovered, and archipelagos were described. The results of the expedition were published in the books "A Voyage Around the World on the Military Sloop 'Senyavin' in 1826 and 1829" and "Experiments on the Permanent Magnet" (St. Petersburg, 1833).

In 1832, Litke became the tutor of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich. He actively participated in the establishment of the geographical society and served as its vice-president for 20 years. Litke also made significant contributions to the development of the Nikolayev Observatory and, as president of the Academy of Sciences, improved the state of scientific institutions and increased the number of awards for scientific achievements.