Vasily Robertovich Vilyams (09.10.1863, Moscow, Russia – 11.11.1939), soil scientist. Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (1928), Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (1931), Academician of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences (1935).
One of the founders of agronomic soil science. He substantiated the leading role of biological factors in soil formation, created the doctrine of the small biological circulation of substances as the basis of soil development, expressed the idea of the unity of development of inorganic and organic nature. Developed agronomic measures for the preservation and improvement of soil fertility, herbal farming system.
In 1968, the Academy of Agricultural Sciences established a gold medal named after V.R. Vilyams for outstanding scientific work in the field of agriculture.
Author of about 470 scientific papers, incl. 6 monographs.
Prize named after V.I. Lenin (1931).
Awarded with the Order of Lenin (1934), the Labor Red Banner (1924, 1936).