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Minister of Public Education Sergei Semenovich Uvarov. Uvarov Sergey Semenovich

Minister public education and President of the Academy of Sciences; born in 1786. He began his service in 1801 at the College of Foreign Affairs, in 1806 he was sent to the Russian embassy in Vienna, and in 1809 he was appointed secretary of the embassy in Paris. While living abroad, W. met and entered into relations with many representatives of literature and science, among whom were the Humboldt brothers, Goethe, Hermann, Stahl, etc. The first literary works U. - in 1810, "Essai d"une Académie Asiatique" and about the Eleusinian sacraments in 1812. In 1810, U. left the diplomatic service and was appointed trustee of S. to the ministry of Razumovsky (see) in 1811. -Petersburg educational district and remained in this position until 1822, when he became director of the department of manufactures and internal trade. In 1818, U. was appointed president of the Academy of Sciences and remained so until his death. In 1832, he was appointed assistant to the minister of the people. education, and in 1833 - minister. Notifying the trustees of educational districts about his assumption of office, U. wrote: “our common duty is to ensure that public education is carried out in a united spirit. Orthodoxy,autocracy and nationality", but in this famous formula, nationality meant only serfdom (cf. Pypin, “History of Russian Ethnography,” vol. I, chapter X). As president of the Academy of Sciences, U. contributed greatly to the expansion of the academy's activities. Under him, the Pulkovo Observatory was founded (see), and a whole series scientific excursions, the old academy was transformed (see), the number of academicians, the academy's facilities, etc. were increased. Sixteen-year management (1833-49) of the Ministry of Public Education gr. U. occupies a prominent place in the history of public education in Russia: under him a university was founded in Kyiv, the custom of sending young scientists abroad was renewed, a number of educational institutions were founded, real education was begun, the statutes of gymnasiums (see) and universities (see) were modified .). U. was the first of the ministers of public education to publish his reports on the management of the ministry in the "Journal of the Ministry of Public Education" founded under him. (cm.). On July 1, 1846, U. was elevated to the rank of count, and on October 9, 1849, he left the post of Minister of Public Education, not fully sharing the drastic measures in relation to public education that began to be applied in Russia under the influence of the European events of 1848. Less U.'s management was favorable for the position of the press. Although U. was at one time a member of Arzamas (q.v.) and close to literary circles, and had a particularly close relationship with Zhukovsky, censorship under him showed particular zeal, detrimental to literature. Under him, a number of special censorships partly arose, partly received special development, and dramatic works were transferred to the censorship of the Third Department. Own E.I.V. Chancellery, the peasant question was completely closed to literature, restrictions on the periodical press were significantly increased, the organs of both Slavophiles and Westerners were persecuted, even the import of politically innocent French. novels were prohibited. His hostile attitude towards Pushkin is also known. W. died on September 4, 1855. Wed. P. A. Pletnev, “In memory of gr. S. S. U.”, and I. I. Davydov, “Memory of gr. S. S. U.” (both articles of a panegyric nature in the "Scientific Notes of the 2nd Department of the Academy of Sciences", book II); M. P. Pogodin, "For the biography of Count S. S. U." ("Russian Archive", 1871). List of literary works of Count S.S.U. in the Russian Archive (1871, pp. 2106-2107).

(Brockhaus)

Uvarov, Count Sergei Semenovich

Russian Minister of Public Education (1786-1855), who played a significant role in the spread of general education among Jews in Russia - see Enlightenment, State Jewish schools, Lilienthal. In addition to the sources indicated in these articles, see also Yu. Gessen, “Petersburg in 1839,” “New Sunrise,” 1912, No. 32 (Uvarov’s first acquaintance with Dr. Lilienthal).

(Heb. enc.)


. 2009 .

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Books

  • Orthodoxy. Autocracy. Nationality, Uvarov Sergey Semenovich. Count Sergei Semenovich Uvarov (1786-1855) is one of the leading Russian statesmen of the first half of the 19th century, a symbolic figure for understanding social and political processes...

Russian scientist, statesman, minister of public education.

Origin and education. Early life

He came from an old noble family of the Uvarovs. His father Semyon Fedorovich Uvarov was an aide-de-camp of Catherine II and commanded a life grenadier regiment. Sergei lost his parents early and was brought up in the family of princes Kurakins, relatives of his mother, Daria Ivanovna Golovina. In the Kurakins' house, Sergei received his primary education under the guidance of Abbot Manguin, a French emigrant, thanks to whom he became well acquainted with French and French culture.

From 1801 to 1803, S. Uvarov studied at the University of Göttingen in Germany, where he studied German literature and the works of German scientists. At the same time, in 1801, Uvarov entered the public service to the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. In 1803, Uvarov became a translator, and in 1805 he went on his first foreign business trip to Italy. Upon returning from a business trip, Uvarov received the court rank of chamber cadet. His career was on the rise. In 1806-1809 he worked in Vienna as an employee of the Russian Embassy. In Vienna, he visited the aristocratic salons of Count Cobenzl and Prince de Ligne, communicated with the then famous French writer Germaine de Stael and other representatives of high European society. Uvarov managed to gain the favor of the Russian ambassador in Vienna A.K. Razumovsky, who greatly contributed to the further career growth of the young diplomat. In 1809, Uvarov was appointed secretary of the Russian embassy in Paris, but he never took advantage of this appointment. In 1810, he married Ekaterina Alekseevna Razumovskaya, the daughter of Count Alexei Kirillovich Razumovsky, the brother of the Russian ambassador in Vienna, who had just been appointed Minister of Public Education. Under the patronage of Razumovsky, Uvarov at the end of 1810 received a new high appointment to the post of trustee of the St. Petersburg educational district.

After returning to Russia. Scientific activity of Uvarov

By becoming a trustee of the St. Petersburg educational district, S. Uvarov opened the way for himself to further advancement up the career ladder. He becomes a full-time state councilor, and in 1818 he is appointed president of the Academy of Sciences. At the same time, Uvarov retained the position of trustee of the educational district, which he left only in 1821. In 1819, he achieved the transformation of the Main Pedagogical Institute in St. Petersburg into a university and personally wrote the charter for it.

In those same years, Uvarov became a member of the literary society “Conversation of Lovers of the Russian Word,” founded by the Russian writer A.S. Shishkov. In 1813, Uvarov read there his first essay on the Russian hexameter, in which he puts forward the idea of ​​​​the similarity of the Greek and Russian prosodic systems and the possibility of transferring the Greek hexameter to Russian literary soil. Uvarov’s mentor in the field of literature was the German scientist Christian-Friedrich Graefe, who then lived in St. Petersburg and worked there as a teacher of the Greek language. According to Uvarov himself, for fifteen years he studied grammar and read ancient authors under the guidance of Graefe, especially the works of the poet Nonnus of Panopolis (5th century AD). Friendship with Uvarov was also beneficial for Gref: with the support of Uvarov, he first became a professor at the St. Petersburg Pedagogical Institute, became a corresponding member, and a little later, a full member of the Academy of Sciences.

S. Uvarov also closely communicated with other representatives of the scientific and creative community of Russia, for example, with the researcher of classical antiquities A.N. Olenin, with poets K.N. Batyushkov and N.I. Gnedich, who made a significant contribution to the translation of works of ancient Greek literature into Russian. Moreover, Uvarov also took part in the discussion that broke out in Russian literary circles in 1813-1815 about how Homer should be translated (in Alexandrian rhymed verses or in the original meter). Moreover, it was he who was one of the first to strongly advocate the use of hexameter when translating Homer and supported Gnedich’s experience in this direction. In 1815, Uvarov founded a literary society, which included N.Ya. Karamzin, V.A. Zhukovsky, K.N. Batyushkov, A.S. Pushkin.

Uvarov was the author of many scientific works. Thus, in his “Study on the Eleusinian Mysteries” (1812) a general overview of these mysteries is presented, and a number of considerations are also expressed, in particular, about the possible origin of these ritual actions from the East and about the reflection of the philosophy of mature polytheism in the doctrine of the Eleusinian Mysteries. In a work entitled “Nonn Panopolsky, poet,” Uvarov presented a kind of intermediate result of his philological studies under the leadership of Graefe. Here is a detailed mythological and philological analysis of Nonnus’s poem “On Dionysus”, which contains both general discussions about the development of epic poetry among the Greeks from Homer to Nonnus, and the atmosphere of the era when Nonnus lived. In his work “On the Pre-Homeric Epoch,” Uvarov responds to the work of G. Herman and F. Kreutzer “Letters about Homer and Hesiod.” In his work “A Critical Study of the Legend of Hercules, as Interpreted by Dupuy,” Uvarov assesses the interpretation of ancient mythology using the astral-solar symbolism of the French mathematician Charles-François Dupuy (“The Origin of All Cults, or Universal Religion,” 1795).

Uvarov is the Minister of Education. The theory of official nationality

In 1822, Uvarov, having secured the support of the Minister of Finance D.A. Guryev, holds the position of Director of the Department of Manufactures and Domestic Trade of the Ministry of Finance. In 1824 he received the rank of adviser, and in 1826, already during the reign of Nicholas I, he became a senator. In the Senate, Uvarov works with cases related to education issues. In 1828, he took part in the development of a new censorship charter, in 1832 he was appointed comrade (deputy) minister of public education, in 1833 acting minister, and in 1834 - minister of education of Russia.

Upon taking office, Uvarov formulated the provisions of the so-called. theory of the official nationality, which became the state ideology Russian Empire during the reign. In his report to the emperor “On some general principles that can serve as a guide in the management of the Ministry of Public Education” dated November 19, 1833, Uvarov wrote: “Deepening into the consideration of the subject, and seeking those principles that constitute the property of Russia (and every land, every people has such is the Palladium), it is clearly revealed that there are three main principles without which Russia cannot prosper, strengthen, or live: 1) Orthodox Faith; 2) Autocracy; 3) Nationality." “Without love for the faith of our ancestors,” Uvarov wrote, “the people, like the private person, must perish; weakening their Faith is the same as depriving them of blood and tearing out their heart. It would be to cook for them lowest degree in moral and political purpose." As for autocracy, according to Uvarov, the “Russian Colossus” rests on it as a cornerstone. Uvarov did not give any more detailed and clear definition of “nationality”.

In 1833, Uvarov proposed to the emperor a number of radical measures against the spread of private schools not controlled by the state. In 1834, also on the initiative of Uvarov, home teachers and mentors were also included in state system education, receiving the official status of employees. In educational districts, the power of trustees was strengthening, at whose disposal, in addition to lower and secondary educational institutions, were now universities. The trustees strictly ensured that the Russian language was studied in lower and secondary educational institutions and that loyalty to the emperor and the reigning house was instilled. In 1835, a new university statute was adopted, which deprived higher education institutions of their former autonomy. The Minister of Education in one of his circulars quite clearly stated that university teachers should become “worthy instruments of the government.”

Thanks to Uvarov, censorship was also strengthened in the country (the censorship department was also subordinate to him). According to the aforementioned censorship regulations of 1828, it was forbidden to discuss political issues in the press, and even in articles on historical topics, politics could only be touched upon “with special caution.” Any publication that violated the charter could become a reason for the closure of a particular publication. In 1834, the Moscow Telegraph magazine was closed, and in 1836, the Telescope magazine. It is known that Uvarov wanted to use the talent of A.S. for his own purposes. Pushkin, and he, even before his appointment to the post of Minister of Education, tried to gain confidence in the poet. But Pushkin avoided Uvarov’s patronage, which aroused hostility towards the poet on the part of the minister.

However, Uvarov's tenure as Minister of Education was marked not only by increased state control over educational institutions and increased censorship. Under Uvarov, Kiev University and a number of other educational institutions were founded, the sending of young scientists abroad resumed, and the beginning of real education was laid. Uvarov was the first of the ministers of public education to publish his reports on the management of the ministry in the Journal of the Ministry of Public Education, founded under him.

By the highest decree on March 1, 1846, the Minister of Public Education, Actual Privy Councilor S. Uvarov was elevated to the rank of count.

During the European revolutions of 1818-1849, with the knowledge of Uvarov, an article was published in defense of universities, with which Emperor Nicholas I was extremely dissatisfied. After this, Uvarov resigned as minister. In December 1850 he was awarded the order St. Andrew the First-Called. In 1851, in the magazine “Sovremennik” Uvarov under the pseudonym “A.V.” published his “Literary Memoirs”.

The hero of this article is Sergey Semenovich Uvarov. September 5, 1786 Russian statesman and scholar of antiquity. Minister of Education and Privy Councillor. Honorary Member and Science. Developed the ideology of the official nationality.

Family

Uvarov Sergei Semenovich (date of birth according to the old calendar: August 25, 1786) was born in St. Petersburg, into a noble family. All relatives on the paternal and maternal lines were courtiers. Father, Semyon Fedorovich, was a lieutenant colonel of the Horse Guards. Brave, cheerful, loved squat dancing and playing the bandura.

Prince Potemkin made him his adjutant and married him to an enviable bride, Daria Golovina. Sergei Semenovich's godmother was Empress Catherine the Great herself. When young Uvarov was 2 years old, he was left without a father. The mother raised her son. Then aunt - Natalya Ivanovna (married Princess Kurakina).

Education

Like all children from noble families, Sergei received an excellent primary education at home. He studied in the house of Prince Kurakin. Sergei's teacher is the French abbot Mangin. Young Uvarov turned out to be a very gifted young man. And he easily mastered European culture, foreign languages, ancient history, etc.

As a result, from childhood, Sergei Semenovich Uvarov knew French and some other languages ​​perfectly, and was well versed in literature. Later he learned Latin, English and Ancient Greek. Wrote poetry on different languages and recited them with talent. Thanks to the admiration of adults, he became accustomed to success and in subsequent years sought to maintain this attitude towards himself.

Service

Sergei began his service in 1801. In 1806 he was sent to Vienna, to the Russian embassy. In 1809 he became secretary of the embassy in Paris. Over the years, Sergei Semenovich has formed political convictions. He became a supporter of enlightened absolutism. In 1810 he left the diplomatic service.

Creation

In the first years of his service, Sergei Semenovich Uvarov, whose portrait photos are in this article, wrote his first essays. I met many statesmen, writers, and scientists. This not only expanded his horizons, such meetings helped to develop a refined aesthetic taste and a breadth of interests.

Sergei developed a desire for constant self-education. It was during these years that he developed a great interest in ancient antiquities, and he began collecting them. In 1810, his first major work was published - “Project of the Asian Academy”. It put forward the idea of ​​forming a Russian scientific institution, which should study the eastern countries.

Sergei Semenovich believed that the spread of oriental languages ​​would lead to an understanding of Asia's relationship to Russia. Uvarov called this field the key to national politics.

Creative and government activities

From 1811 to 1822 Uvarov Sergei Semenovich, whose activities are closely related to education and creativity, was a trustee of the St. Petersburg educational district. Then - director of the department of domestic trade and manufactures. In 1824 he became a privy councilor, and in 1826 - a senator.

He was a member and one of the organizers of the Arzamas literary society. In it he had the nickname "Old Lady". But after a couple of years I lost interest in this society.

In January 1811, Sergei Semenovich was elected to honorary members of the Imperial Academy of Sciences. In 1818 he became its president, which he remained until the end of his life. In April 1828 he was elected an honorary member Russian Academy, and in 1831 he became its full member. In addition to the listed organizations, he participated in the activities of:

  • Paris Academy of Inscriptions and Letters;
  • Royal Copenhagen Society of Sciences;
  • Royal Society of Madrid;
  • Göttingen Society of Sciences;
  • Royal Naples Society.

Sergei Semenovich Uvarov, whose biography is connected with creativity and education, was part of the circle of Alexei Olenin, an outstanding archaeologist, artist, writer and director of the Public Library. Masters constantly gathered with him different generations. For Uvarov, the society that surrounded Olenin became a kind of unique school.

Moreover, Alexey Nikolaevich himself was one of the founders of Russian archeology. Uvarov wrote about him that Olenin was a lover of antiquities and studied all subjects that relate to this concept. His interests ranged from ancient stones to Kerch jewelry and Moscow monuments. In 1816 he received honorary membership in the Institute of France for his French-language work.

Natura Uvarov Sergei Semenovich

One lady from high society described Uvarov as an aristocratic darling of beauties and meetings. He was a witty, cheerful and dexterous man with his characteristic touch of pride. But in many of the large parties in which he was a member, he still remained a stranger.

Uvarov was very curious and had broad interests. He was not limited to service only and actively participated in public life Petersburg.

Uvarov Sergey Semenovich: reforms and development of education

In 1826, the year of celebrating the anniversary of the Academy of Sciences, Uvarov took the opportunity to build new buildings and repair old ones. The emperor and his brothers were elected honorary academicians, which ensured respect for the Academy of Sciences of the nobility. Uvarov held elections, as a result of which many Russian and foreign minds became members of the academy.

In April 1832, he was appointed deputy minister of education and from 1833 to 1849 he was already a full minister. In 1833, when he assumed this position, he wrote to all educational districts that education should be given in the spirit of combining Orthodoxy, nationality and autocracy. This triad subsequently became the embodiment of the Russian doctrine of monarchs.

Sergei Semenovich Uvarov tried to strengthen government control over gymnasiums and universities. Under him, the beginning of Russian real education and foreign practice was laid. He was able to bring new level education. Gymnasiums and universities have reached the European level. And Moscow University has become one of the leading ones.

In 1934, Uvarov created the “Journal of Public Education,” which was published until 1917. Sergei Semenovich himself developed a plan, drew up headings, set fees and invited the best of the “writing fraternity.” The magazine was distributed not only in Russia, but also abroad.

In March 1846, Uvarov, being not only the Minister of Education, but also an actual Privy Councilor, would receive the title of count.

Resignation

In 1849, during the revolution, he carried out inspections of the publication of articles on the defense of universities. This activity was not to the liking of Nicholas I, who wrote that everyone should only obey and not express their opinions. After such words, Sergei Semenovich resigned on his own initiative.

Heritage

On his own estate, located near Moscow, Sergei Semenovich Uvarov created a botanical garden. Subsequently, it became a national treasure. A. Bunge named one plant from the Verbenov family uvarovia in honor of Sergei Semenovich. One of the minerals is also named. In 1857, the Uvarov Prize was established by the son of Sergei Semenovich.

Porechye village

At the count's estate, which was located in the village of Porechye, literary evenings were constantly held in those days. This village is located 20 kilometers from the village. Uvarovka and 40 km from the city of Mozhaisk.

Now the main attraction here is the count's palace. This building has two buildings. The roof is made of glass. Now under it there are plants that the count grew in his winter garden. The forest near the count's palace is also of great value. During his travels, Sergei Semenovich always brought rare plants or curiosities. And he planted them in the forested area adjacent to the palace.

Since then, the chestnut tree has remained growing there, which is already 300 years old. There is a spruce tree - the “Trident of Zeus”, etc. The winter garden is located next to the central building, and its pavilion is made of metal and glass. During the count's lifetime, it was heated using a boiler room. It came from there hot water into pipes attached to the walls.

Personal life

Sergei Semenovich Uvarov married Countess Razumovskaya in 1811. She was the daughter of a count. Their marriage produced four children - a son and three daughters. Elizabeth died without ever marrying. Alexandra married Pavel Alexandrovich Urusov. Natalya married Ivan Petrovich Balabin. And son Alexey became a famous Russian archaeologist and scientist, a lover of antiquities. Married P.S. Shcherbatova.

The entire St. Petersburg high society discussed Uvarov's homosexual preferences. In one of Pushkin’s works, he was ridiculed in connection with the appointment of his beloved Dondukov-Korsakov to the position of vice-president of the Academy.

Sergiy Semenovich Uvarov

Uvarov Sergei Semenovich (08/25/1786-09/04/1855), count, statesman.

Uvarov was a descendant of an old Russian noble family, known in Russia since the 15th century. His father was G. A. Potemkin's adjutant; imp. Catherine II took him from the font and became the godmother of the baby, named Sergius in memory of the greatest Russian ascetic Sergius of Radonezh. The father died when the boy was 2 years old. The mother was unable to save a small inheritance and, having no funds, gave both sons to her sister, who was married to Prince. Kurakin. The position of a “freeloader” had a painful impact on Uvarov’s character.

He realized early on that he could achieve success in life only through his own efforts, and he consciously strove for education; He retained his passion for science until the end of his life. He was educated at home and attended lectures (no more than a year in 1801-1803) at the University of Göttingen in Germany. Thanks to persistent self-education, he had deep knowledge (especially in Greek history), knew 7 languages ​​(new and ancient, he studied Greek for 15 years), wrote and published in 4 languages.

He published over 20 essays on history, literature, philology and the fine arts of Ancient Greece, Rome and the East (mainly in French). After retiring in 1853, he publicly defended his master's thesis at the University of Dorpat on the origins of the Bulgarians; to last days worked on his doctoral dissertation.

He was considered one of the most educated people of his time. Elected an honorary member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences (1811), the Russian Academy (1828), many scientific societies of Russia (Moscow Imperial Society of Agriculture, Society of Lovers of Russian Literature at the Moscow Imperial University, Society of Russian History and Antiquities, Odessa Society of History and Antiquities, Imperial University St. Vladimir, Imperial Russian Geographical Society); was an honorary member of scientific societies of almost all European countries(incl. National Institute France, the Royal Society of Sciences in Göttingen and Copenhagen, the Royal Historical Society in Madrid, the French Academy of Inscriptions and Letters), was also elected a member of the Historical and Geographical Society of Brazil.

He was friends with N.M. Karamzin, V.A. Zhukovsky, K.N. Batyushkov, and corresponded with European celebrities (I. Goethe, G. Stein, C. Pozzo di Borgo, A. Humboldt and his brother V. Humboldt, J. Steel).

Commended in 1803 as a chamber cadet. He began serving at the age of 15 as a cadet in the College of Foreign Affairs (1801), then appointed to the embassy in Vienna (1806), secretary of the embassy in Paris (1809), trustee of the St. Petersburg educational district and member of the Main Board of Schools (1810-21), president of the Imperial Academy of Sciences (1818-55), director of the Department of Manufactures and Internal Trade of the Ministry of Finance and member of the Council of Ministers of Finance (1822-24), senator (1826: participated in the development of the Censorship Charter of 1828), fellow minister of public education (1832), and. D. Minister of Public Education (1833), approved by the Minister of Public Education (1834-49).

His role was especially significant as president of the Academy of Sciences, which he headed for 37 years and radically transformed (the structure he developed continues to this day). He headed the Ministry of Public Education for 15 years, creating the foundation of education, including higher education.

Brought up by the French abbot Manguin on European (mainly French) culture, as a 20-year-old young man he found himself in Western Europe in the diplomatic service, lived abroad for several years, got to know the Western world quite deeply, and returned to Russia as a passionate patriot of his Fatherland. Having critically perceived Western European civilization, he believed that in countries Western Europe“the order of things eradicated little by little the national spirit in almost every state,” and the consequence of this was revolutionary upheavals; came to the conviction that Russia, under the leadership of the monarch, could develop without revolutions, preserving its national and spiritual traditions.

Uvarov was devoted to the interests of Russia and worked with dignity for its good. Twice he voluntarily resigned (in 1821 and 1849) in protest against policies aimed at weakening Russia. The combination of deep knowledge with systematic thinking and a heightened sense of modernity allowed him to develop an original worldview and carry out fundamental changes, especially in public education.

The basis of Uvarov’s worldview was made up of 2 fundamental principles. The first was that Russia should not repeat the Western path of development, based on revolutionary upheavals and despotic regimes, that it was necessary to look for its own path, based on its own historical past and characteristics current state Russia. Guided by this principle, in state transformative activities Uvarov acted as a convinced supporter of the original evolutionary path of development of Russia in the general mainstream of world civilization. “It’s time to give up trying to make Russia English, Russia French, Russia German. It’s time to understand that from the moment Russia ceases to be Russian, it will cease to exist.”

The 2nd principle was that the basis for advancement depends greatly on the education of society. Uvarov was one of the first not only Russian, but even European statesmen who realized that the progress of the country and its well-being depend on the level of education. Therefore, Uvarov made education the core of the large-scale national strategy he developed. One of main tasks enlightenment was to strengthen the sense of national pride.

Uvarov’s original program in the field of public education was built on “ historical principles Russian statehood and culture"; she set the task of enlightening all layers of society: “The Ministry wants enlightenment for everyone, to the extent of everyone’s ability, for the greater strengthening of the national spirit in loyalty to the religion of their ancestors and devotion to the throne and the king.”

Its main provisions were first expressed in 1832 in a report on the state of Moscow University: “Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationality constitute the last anchor of our salvation and the surest guarantee of the strength and greatness of our society”; finally formulated in 1833 in a report to Nicholas I: “Upon my assumption of the post of Minister of Public Education by Your Imperial Majesty’s command, I used, so to speak, the main place, the slogan of my administration, the following expressions: “Public education must be carried out in the united spirit of Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationality” (published in 1834 in the “Journal of the Ministry of Public Education”).

The widely known Uvarov formula was taken by him and transformed from the ancient military motto “For Faith, Tsar and Fatherland”; became the motto of the count family of the Uvarovs (raised to the dignity of count in 1846). The famous Uvarov triad formed the basis not only of public education, but also of the entire government activities Uvarov. It contains a deep “power-building philosophy.”

According to Uvarov, this short and seemingly simple formula could and should have become a national idea around which all layers of society could rally on the path of evolutionary (and not Western, revolutionary) transformation of Russia. Uvarov believed that the national idea was especially needed by the educated layer of Russian society, which, due to the peculiarities of its development, had moved away from Russian culture, from Orthodoxy, and which, as a result, lacked national self-awareness.

Uvarov connected progress human society primarily with the progress of the human spirit (material progress reduces man to the level of things), therefore Orthodoxy occupied the first position in his formula. Faith protects a person and society as a whole from extreme cynicism, skepticism, materialism, immorality (“Without love for the faith of their ancestors, a people, like a private person, must perish; weakening faith in them is the same as depriving them of blood and tearing out their heart.” ); ensures the unity of the Russian people, affirms the principles of internal community (determines the norms of behavior and beliefs of both the individual, the people, and the sovereign ruler). Orthodoxy has managed to preserve the purity and strength of its foundations (unlike the Christian religions of the West) and is able to unite Russian society. Faith is unshakable. Creative spiritual power lies at the basis of Russian statehood and Russian culture.

Uvarov saw autocracy and autocratic rule as the main condition for the political existence of Russia. Autocracy as the defining form of the sovereign existence of the Russian people was suffered through and accepted by the people. Uvarov believed that a vast and diverse empire requires a strong central government, that only a strong government can successfully implement reforms, that autocratic rule will allow Russia to avoid the economic problems that accompanied industrialization in Europe, and that industry can and should develop not spontaneously, but on the basis of state control. leadership, and then reasonable economic growth can bring benefit to the people and lead to the painless abolition of serfdom.

Any attempt to weaken the autocracy will inevitably lead to the death of Russia: “The Russian colossus relies on the autocracy as cornerstone; a hand touching the foot shakes the entire state structure. This truth is felt by an innumerable majority of Russians; they feel it fully, although they are placed among themselves at different degrees and differ in education and in their way of thinking, and in their attitudes towards the government. This truth must be present and developed in public education.”

Autocracy corresponds to the Orthodox and folk traditions, but over time, very distant, the nature of the form of government can be changed (“when Russia is covered with prosperous cities, well-cultivated fields, industrial enterprises, when markets are open”).

Nationality is, first of all, historical originality: the idea of ​​nationality in Uvarov’s concept implied a careful attitude towards national history, literature, native language, customs. Uvarov believed that “nationality does not consist in going back or stopping; it does not require immobility in ideas. State composition, like human body, changes external view your own as you age: features change with age, but physiognomy should not change.” Foreign trends had to be perceived meaningfully so as not to “strangle” the national culture and national identity, and thereby not forcibly change the “face” of the people. Uvarov always opposed blind imitation of Western culture.

Of the 3 components of Uvarov’s formula, the concept of nationality was the most mobile element, since the assessment of originality is directly dependent on the depth of knowledge own history. It is possible to understand originality only by studying national history and culture: knowing the “precious heritage” in its entirety, Russia will be able to throw off the shackles of an “intellectual” colony: “Listen to the voice of history! She will answer you, she will explain all your doubts, solve all your questions.”

In a deep historical education, Uvarov saw a guarantee against revolutionary upheavals, against atheistic ideas that were corrupting society, therefore he gave a special place to the teaching of history at all levels of education for full preparation Russian citizen; history, according to Uvarov’s definition, is the main subject in the education of citizenship and patriotism: “History forms citizens who know how to honor their duties and rights, judges who know the price of justice, warriors who die for the Fatherland, experienced nobles, kind and firm kings.”

Uvarov believed that “teaching history is a state matter.” Basic principles of teaching: “general - briefly, modern peoples - more extensively, domestic - with all the necessary detail” (first published back in 1813 in the article “On teaching history in relation to public education”); At the same time, in Russian history it is necessary to highlight its most striking stages, where the “moral strength of the Russian people” was especially manifested.

He viewed history as a progressive process, as a natural movement of humanity from the “autocracy” of despotism and the “anarchy” of republics, slavery, serfdom to an enlightened monarchy that guarantees the rights of man and citizen.

Also important element preservation and development of national culture, Uvarov considered concern for the preservation and development of the Russian language. According to the Uvarov educational reform, the teaching of Russian grammar, history and literature was introduced into the gymnasium course throughout all 7 years of education. (“To instill in young people a desire to study Russian history more closely, paying more attention to recognizing our nationality in all its different forms”).

Based on the concept of “Orthodoxy, Autocracy, Nationality”, during the years of his reign in the Ministry, he managed to create the foundation of the public education system in Russia truly on Russian national principles and in the interests of the social development of the Fatherland. Reformed training programs based on classical education; laid the foundation for real education; created 2 universities: St. Petersburg (transformed in 1819 from the Main Pedagogical Institute), St. Vladimir in Kyiv (1833). A student of St. Petersburg University (graduated in 1849) wrote: “Count Uvarov’s University was not a German, not a French, not an English university, but its own original Russian, the way the needs of society created it.”

In all universities (in accordance with the university charter developed by Uvarov in 1835), special departments on Russian history were opened, world history, history and literature of Slavic dialects; departments of history and literature were strengthened ancient Greece and ancient Rome. Foreign internships have been introduced for young teachers of higher educational institutions.

The “scientific notes” that universities began to publish on Uvarov’s initiative did not publish political news and “literary curses”; they acted “as the purest source of knowledge and information.” One of the main goals of the “Notes” was “to instill in young people a desire to study Russian history more closely, paying more attention to recognizing our nationality.” Priority importance in the study of national history in Russian universities the youth had to “show the place of the Russian people in the system of nations.”

He was the first minister to publicly report on his work: reports on the management of the ministry were published annually in the Journal of the Ministry of Public Education, founded under him in 1834.

Under him, a centralized system for managing educational districts was created. Educational institutions of all levels (parish, district, gymnasiums, universities) were included in a unified state system. Private education and foreign educators were eradicated as not corresponding to the social character and national direction in the education and upbringing of youth: “to put an end to the perverse home education of them by foreigners and to establish both among young people of the upper class and in general among university youth the desire for public education, independent." Defending Russian enlightenment from European revolutionary and atheistic ideas, Uvarov considered it necessary to “preserve all the benefits of European enlightenment, move the mental life of Russia on par with other nations” and be on top of the latest scientific achievements of Western Europe.

Uvarov actually raised the Academy of Sciences from the ruins. He radically transformed it: under him the number of academicians increased, he contributed to the election of the largest Russian and European scientists to it; under him, the Pulkovo Observatory was founded, a large-scale research program was carried out in the field of Russian history and linguistics, including the Archaeographic Expedition created in 1829 and still existing today, which purposefully collected sources on the history of pre-Petrine Rus' throughout Russia, examining for this purpose approx. 200 libraries, archives, monasteries; strengthened the relationship between the Academy and universities.

He made a major contribution to Oriental studies, considering the East to be the “cradle of humanity.” He came up with a project for the creation of the Asian Academy (1810): although the project did not receive support, Uvarov’s policies as President of the Academy of Sciences and Minister of Public Education contributed to the transformation of Russia into one of the world’s largest centers for the study of the East: a department of Persian and Arabic literature was created at the Main Pedagogical Institute; a department of oriental studies was established in the Academy of Sciences (the “Asian Museum” was created at the department); a department of oriental languages ​​(in 1854 transformed into a faculty) was created at St. Petersburg University (11 departments, where, along with languages, history, archeology, geography, and religion were studied); Kazan University becomes a major center of Oriental studies. Uvarov attached great importance to the education at Russian universities of natives of the Caucasus, Tatars, Kalmyks, Buryats, etc., so that “young people from different parts of the one great Fatherland could see each other as their closest fellow citizens.”

Uvarov founded the literary society "Arzamas" (1815-18), which united mainly metropolitan writers (about 20 people, the most active members: K. N. Batyushkov, D. N. Bludov, P. A. Vyazemsky, D. V. Dashkov, V. A. Zhukovsky, V. L. Pushkin), followers and defenders of the literary and aesthetic views of N. M. Karamzin, who aimed to merge Russian traditions with Western innovations, especially in language, because, according to According to the leader of the society, Uvarov, national culture depends on the perfection of the language.

On Uvarov’s initiative, Homer’s outstanding ancient Greek epic poems “The Iliad” (N. I. Gnedich) and “Odyssey” (V. A. Zhukovsky) were translated into Russian in original size.

Despite a personal conflict with A. S. Pushkin in 1835, Uvarov highly valued his talent and considered him a truly national poet: in 1831 he translated Pushkin’s poem “To the Slanderers of Russia” into French, and in 1832 he invited Pushkin to an open debate at Moscow University. The unflattering characterization of Uvarov in the poet’s diary for 1835 and his famous pamphlet “On the Recovery of Lucullus” were actively used by fierce opponents of Uvarov’s reformist, essentially national-Russian activities.

He had awards: the Order of St. Vladimir, St. Anna, White Eagle, St. Alexander Nevsky, St. Andrew the First-Called.

Collector of documents on the history of Russia, monuments of ancient and Western European art; bibliophile (about 12 thousand volumes, mostly classics, historical works, rare editions). The library and collection (known in Russia as the private Poretsky Museum, housed in specially equipped rooms) were located in the Porechye estate in Mozhaisky district. Moscow province (contemporaries called the estate “Russian Athens”); passed by inheritance to his son Alexei, and according to the latter’s will - to the Russian Historical Museum. After 1917 the collection was disbanded: most of the books went to the State Public Library historical library(where it is preserved to this day in a separate fund), monuments of ancient and Western European art - to the State Museum of Fine Arts. A.S. Pushkin, Russian antiquities remained in the State Historical Museum.

In memory of his father, Alexey Uvarov established in 1858 at the Academy of Sciences 5 annual Uvarov Prizes, which were intended for best essays domestic writers and playwrights writing in Russian about the history of Russia and the Slavs.

He had a son and 3 daughters. In the person of Alexei Sergeevich (1824-84), Russian science and culture found an outstanding archaeologist and organizer of archaeological science: one of the founders of the Russian Archaeological Society (1846), founder of the Moscow Archaeological Society (1864), one of the founders of the Russian Historical Museum (1872), initiator convening Archaeological Congresses, which enormously advanced the study of Russian history.

S.S. Uvarov was buried in the family tomb in the village. Hill of Gzhatsky district Smolensk province.

Polunina N.

Site materials used Great encyclopedia Russian people - http://www.rusinst.ru