V.I. Vernadsky and others on the profession of 'historian of science'

The emergence of the profession of 'historian of science' in Russia in the 20^th century is examined based on the works of the eminent Russian scientists: Academicians V.I. Vernadsky and A.S. Lappo-Danilevskii, and others. The paper describes the interplay of the processes of professionalisation and disciplinary development of the history of science as well as creation of the first specialised research centres: the "Russian Science" Subcommission, the History of Knowledge Commission, and the Institute for the History of Science and Technology. However, normal development of the profession of historian of science and formation of the historico-scientific community whose leader, Academician Bukharin, fell victim to intraparty strife of the late 1930s led to the institutional destruction of the history of science in the USSR and distortion of its image as a separate profession.