Johann Karl Ehrenfried Kegel

Johann Karl Ehrenfried Kegel (October 3, 1784 - June 25, 1863) was a German agronomist and explorer of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

From Petropavlovsk, he undertook various voyages of several months into the heart of the country in order to examine the soil conditions and perform trial sowing.

His reports describe in detail flora and fauna, soil, geology as well as the life of the local population.

In addition, he made proposals for improving the living conditions of the indigenous population and criticized oppression.

Kegel was loathed by the corrupt local administration, who were not interested in the development of the country but rather in their own profit from fur trade.