The Image of M. M. Speransky in Siberian Memoirs

The article studies the image of Mikhail M. Speransky as a Siberian governor-general presented in the memoirs of his contemporaries. Among them are people who praised him (P. T. Basnin, I. T. Kalashnikov), people who criticized him (P. P. Gerasimov, P. O. Katyshevtsev), people who tried to maintain objectivity (E. I. Stogov). All these people knew and communicated with Mikhail M. Speransky personally. Examined memoirs characterize his appearance, habits, relations with the local society, evaluate the significance of the “Siberian institution”. Created by memoirists representation of a statesman reflects ideas about the ideal head of the region: he must be strict and merciful, have an extraordinary intellect and will, be an “economic” administrator, know Siberia and take care of Siberian population

Art history · Epistemology · Institution · Intellect · Memoir · Political science · Politics · Population · Sociology · Theology · Central European and Russian historical studies · Demography · History · Law · Philosophy · Sociopolitical Dynamics in Russia