---

Andrei Glazunov

---

The Russian-American Co. never had more than 1,000 Russians in Alaska, thus they relied heavily on the services of Creoles, offspring of a Russian father and native mother. The company educated some Creoles in return for a contracted period of service, and many were sent to the company's western posts, the first founded in 1818 at Nushagak, where they led trading expeditions and managed trading stations. Creole Andrei Glazunov, assigned in October 1833 to St. Michael, led the first expedition from the new post to explore the interior of western Alaska and to establish trade with Natives along the Yukon.

With instructions from Gov. F.P. Wrangell, Glazunov left St. Michael in January 1834. He followed the Anvik River to the Yukon (Kvichpack), crossed to the Kuskokwim, and ascended the Stony (Tchalchuck) hoping to find a way to the Kenai Peninsula. Lack of food forced the party to turn back in mid-March.

The following winter, Glazunov returned to the Yukon to select a site for a trading post, and in 1836 he established Ikogmiut (Russian Mission) on the Yukon. After a few years in Sitka, Glazunov became manager at Ikogmiut where he served until his death in March 1846.

---

---