Birth of Mikhail P. Pogodin, historian, publicist, translator, collector

23 November 1800

November 11 (23), 1800, in Moscow, was born Mikhail Petrovich Pogodin, historian, essayist, translator, publisher, collector.

Mikhail Petrovich came from a family of a serf, steward of Count I. P. Saltykov who was granted manumission in 1806. The boy was given basics of reading and writing at home. From the age of 10 Mikhail had been brought up at the house of his father’s friend, Moscow printer and publisher A. G. Reshetnikov. In 1814-1818 Mikhail studied at the Moscow provincial gymnasium; from 1818 - at the Moscow University, Faculty of Philosophy, Literary Department. During the years of his studies, he became addicted to reading, studying Russian history. His views were influenced by the "History of the Russian State" of N. M. Karamzin and bt the Russian edition of A. L. Schlozer’s "Nestor".

After graduating in 1821, Pogodin was assigned to lecture at the Moscow Noble board; he also gave private lessons in the house of Prince N. P. Trubeckoy. Having defended his thesis "On the origin of Russia" in 1825, Mikhail Petrovich was invited to the Moscow University, where, from 1826, he had taught a course of general history, and in 1835 took the chair of Russian history. In 1841, Pogodin was elected an academician for the Department of Russian Language and Literature. Mikhail Petrovich stopped teaching in 1844, devoting himself to further scientific research, translation, journalism, publishing.

Pogodin’s research interests concerned the pre-Mongol period of Slavic history, the history of Moscow State of the 16th – 17th century and the time of Peter the Great. As a supporter of the Norman theory of the origin of Russia, proofs of which were given in his thesis, 1820s - 30s Pogodin criticized historian M. T. Kachenovsky. Later, in 1860s and 1870s, he polemized on the issue with N. I. Kostomarov and D. I. Ilovaisky.

Mikhail Petrovich was the author of many research publications on Russian history - monographs, textbooks, manuals, critical articles. Pogodin’s merit was finding and publication of historical documents and written sources which were not previously known. Among them, the publication of the "Pskov Chronicle," the works of I. T. Pososhkov, publication of the notes made by Catherine’s II librarian J. Staehelin and more. Of great importance for those who study Russian history is a multivolume work titled "Researches, notes and lectures."

 

Pogodin’s position on some issues of Russian history, understanding of its identity brought him together with Slavophiles. However, by the end of his life, Mikhail Petrovich held the opinion of the necessity for Russia's rapprochement with the West.

Literary and publishing activities of Pogodin threw him together with many representatives of the Russian literature of different generations. In 1826, Mikhail Pogodin released a literary almanac "Urania." The work on the issue involved E. A. Baratynsky, D. V, Venevitinov, P. A. Viazemsky; through intermediary of the last, a number of poems by A. S. Pushkin were published. The collection also included a tale written by Pogodin himself titled "A beggar."

In 1827-1830, as editor and publisher, Pogodin together with Venevitinov, A. S. Khomyakov, brothers I. V. Kireevsky and P. V. Kireevsky, S. P. Shevyrev participated in the publication of a literary magazine "Moscow Bulletin". And from 1841 to 1856, together with S. P. Shevyrev, he published a "scientific literary" magazine "Muskvityanin," speaking from its pages as a supporter of the theory of official national character. The magazine published works of poets and writers, such as P. A. Viazemsky, F. N. Glinka, N. V. Gogol, V. I. Dal; scientists I. I. Sreznevsky, I. E. Zabelin, F. I. Buslayev and others. "Moskvityanin" published the articles of Slavophiles too. Mikhail Pogodin was the author of several literary works: some novels, historical tragedy "Martha, Novgorod Governor's Wife."

In 1820s, Pogodin started collecting antiquities and monuments of culture. His famous "Drevlehranilische" (Russian: ancient repository) brought together manuscripts, early printed books, icons, crosses, settings, sewing, stamps, coins and medals, weapons; autographs of Russian and foreign statesmen, church and cultural figures; graphic works. "Drevlehranilische," one of the largest private collections in Russia, was one of the sights of Moscow: great princes, statesmen and public figures came to see it.

On certain days it was also open for the layman. At the request of Emperor Nicholas I in 1852 the "Drevlehranilische" was purchased by the state. Part of the collection: manuscripts, autographs, popular prints and engravings were transferred to the Imperial Public Library; a collection of archaeological rarities, coins, stamps, medals – to the Hermitage; church antiquities joined the patriarchal collection in the Kremlin.

Social circle of Mikhail Petrovich was extensive, he was familiar with state dignitaries, members of the community, science and culture. In his house lived N. V. Gogol and A. A. Fet.

Mikhail Petrovich Pogodin died December 8 (20), 1875 and was buried at Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.

Based on the Presidential Library’s materials:

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды Н. П. Погодина. СПб., 1888. Кн. 1;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1889. Кн. 2;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1890. Кн. 3;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1891. Кн. 4;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды Н. П. Погодина. СПб., 1892. Кн. 5;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1892. Кн. 6;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1893. Кн. 7;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1894. Кн. 8;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1895. Кн. 9;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1896. Кн. 10;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1897. Кн. 11;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1898. Кн. 12;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1899. Кн. 13;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1900. Кн. 14;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1901. Кн. 15;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1902. Кн. 16;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды Н. П. Погодина. СПб., 1903. Кн. 17;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1905. Кн. 19;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1906. Кн. 20;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1907. Кн. 21;

Барсуков Н. П. Жизнь и труды М. П. Погодина. СПб., 1910. Кн. 22;

Бестужев-Рюмин К. Н. Биографии и характеристики: Татищев, Шлёцер, Карамзин, Погодин, Соловьев, Ешевский, Голифердинг. СПб., 1882;

Бестужев-Рюмин К. Н. М. П. Погодин. Статьи политические и польский вопрос (1856-1867). [СПб., 1878];

Добровский И. Кирилл и Мефодий, словенские первоучители. Перевод с немецкого [М. П. Погодина]. М., 1825;

Письма М. П. Погодина, С. П. Шевырева и М. А. Максимовича к князю П. А. Вяземскому 1825-1874 годов (из Остафьевского архива). СПб , 1901;

Погодин М. П. Г. Гедеонов и его система о происхождении варягов и Руси. СПб, 1864;

Погодин М. П. Исследования, замечания и лекции. М., 1846. Т. 1;

Погодин М. П. Исследования, замечания и лекции. М., 1846. Т. 2;

Погодин М. П. Исследования, замечания и лекции. М., 1846. Т. 3;

Погодин М. П. Исследования, замечания и лекции. М., 1850. Т. 4;

Погодин М. П. Исследования, замечания и лекции. М., 1857. Т. 5;

Погодин М. П. Исследования, замечания и лекции. М., 1855. Т. 6;

Погодин М. П. Исследования, замечания и лекции. М., 1856. Т. 7;

Погодин М. П. Историческое похвальное слово Карамзину, произнесённое при открытии ему памятника в Симбирске, августа 23, 1845 г. М., 1845;

Погодин М. П. История в лицах о Димитрии Самозванце. М., 1835;

Погодин М. П. Николай Михайлович Карамзин, по его сочинениям, письмам и отзывам современников. М., 1866. Ч.1;

Погодин М. П. Николай Михайлович Карамзин, по его сочинениям, письмам и отзывам современников. М., 1866. Ч. 2;

Погодин М. П. Норманский период русской истории. М., 1859;

Погодин М. П. О Москве.[М., 1837];

Погодин М. П. О происхождении Руси : историко-критическое рассуждение. М., 1825;

Погодин М. П. О старшинстве между князьями Древней Руси. [СПб., 1844];

Погодин М. П. Св. Кирилл и Мефодий – славяне, а не греки. [М., 1864];

Погодин М. П. Семнадцать первых лет в жизни императора Петра Великого : 1672-1689. М., 1875;

Публичный диспут 19 марта 1860 года о начале Руси между г.г. Погодиным и Костомаровым. [СПб., 1860];

Собрание документов по делу царевича Алексея Петровича, вновь найденных Г. В. Есиповым, с приложением рассуждения М. П. Погодина. М., 1861.