Personality of Alexander Kolchak considered in detail at the Presidential Library

Today, the Presidential Library hosted a discussion forum timed to the 140th anniversary of the birth of legendary Russian military and political leader Alexander Kolchak. The ambiguity of perception of Kolchak’s personality in the history was noted during the lecture by Alexei Sorokin, director of the Omsk branch of "Russian Cultural Foundation", deputy director for scientific and methodical work, A. S. Pushkin Omsk State Regional Scientific Library. "A man with a non-Russian name, but with absolutely Russian destiny became good and evil genius for Omsk, Siberia, and for Russia on the whole," stressed the speaker.

The scientist from Omsk told in detail about the memorable places in different cities associated with the name of Kolchak. A special place among them occupies St. Petersburg. These are: Trinity Church, M. V. Frunze Higher Naval School (today, St. Petersburg Naval Institute), the apartment at 3, Bolshaya Zelenina Str., the building of Geographical Society in Demidov Lane and others. The name of the admiral became a kind of brand for both Omsk and Irkutsk.

Alexei Sorokin, describing the psychological qualities of Alexander Kolchak, noted: "He was very demanding of himself and encouraged others to do so. He had a highly developed power of the individual, which still attracts others to the figure of Kolchak."

Ilya Ratkovsky, doctor of historical sciences, professor of the Institute of History, St. Petersburg State University had a different opinion regarding the personality of the admiral and the Supreme Ruler of Russia and its role in history. Beginning his speech, he said: "Yes, Kolchak was an excellent polar explorer, perfect miner, great admiral. But he was not as good in the role of the leader, of the land governor. And the fact cannot be omitted in the study of personality of this historical figure." The civil war has put Alexander Kolchak forward to the historical arena. The Supreme Ruler of Russia and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian army in 1918, he set such important tasks as to create an efficient army, win over the Bolsheviks and establish law and order. Alexander Kolchak was sure that the only way to achieve his goals was a military dictatorship, so he took his course to conduct a rigid policy, which presupposed the suppression of uprisings by mass executions and repressions. "When we are confronted with the practice, it is clear that Kolchak did not shoot anyone personally. But being a dictator, leader, he was a direct participant in these shootings," continued the lecturer.

The controversial story of Alexander Kolchak is also available in the collections of the Presidential Library in the form of unique newsreel footage from different periods of the life and work of the legendary Russian military man and politician. The Presidential Library place emphasis on the history of Russian state, the fates of outstanding talented individuals and makes the relevant documents accessible to the wider audience through modern technology. To date, the Presidential Library holds more than 350,000 electronic materials.