Nicholas Karamzin and Russian Society in the 19th Century: A Study in Russian Political and Historical Thought PDF
Preview Nicholas Karamzin and Russian Society in the 19th Century: A Study in Russian Political and Historical Thought
J.L. BLACK is a member of the Department of History at Laurentian University, Sudbury, and the editor of Essays on Karamzin: Russian Man of Letters, Political Commentator, Historian (1766-1826). Nicholas Karamzin (1766-1826) was a remarkably active thinker and writer dur- ing a time that was trying to all Europeans. A first-hand witness to the French Revolution, Napoleonic suzerainty over Europe, the burning of Moscow, and the Decembrist revolt in St Petersburg, he presented in his voluminous correspond- ence and published writings a world view that recognized the weaknesses of the Russian Empire and at the same time foresaw the dangers of both radical change and rigid autocracy. Russian conservatism owes much to this man, even though he would have agreed with very few of those who came after him and were called conservative: he supported autocracy, but was committed to enlightenment; he supported serfdom, but hated despotism; he placed faith in rule of law, but ab- horred constitutions. The fact that his writing had lasting significance has rarely been challenged, but the social and political nature of that contribution has never before been demonstrated. Previous studies of Karamzin have dealt with his literary career. This monograph focuses on the final third of his life, on his career at court (1816-26) and on the cultural heritage he left to the Russian Em- pire. As the historian of Russia most widely read by his and later generations, his historical interpretations mirrored and helped shape the image Russians had of themselves. Professor Black's study of Karamzin is crucial to any examination of Russia's enlightenment, conservatism, historical writing, and national self- consciousness. This page intentionally left blank J.L. BLACK Nicholas Karamzin and Russian Society in the Nineteenth Century: A Study in Russian Political and Historical Thought UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS TORONTO AND BUFFALO © University of Toronto Press 1975 Toronto and Buffalo Printed in Canada Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Black, Joseph Laurence, 1937- Nicholas Karamzin and Russian society in the nine- teenth century. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Karamzin, Nikolai Mikhailovich, 1766-1826. 2. Russia - Historiography. 3. Political science - History - Russia. 4. Russia - History - 19th century. I. Title. DK38.7.K35B57 947'.07'0924 [B] 75-20146 ISBN 0-8020-5335-1 Contents Acknowledgements xi Transliteration and System of Citing Dates xii Introduction xiii KARAMZIN'S LIFE AND IDEAS 1 Creative Writer to Historian 1766-1800 3 2 The Sage and Political Pundit 1800-3 34 3 Historian and Man at Court: Karamzin and Russian Society 1803-26 62 KARAMZIN'S POLITICAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE 4 The History: Textbook for Emperors and Citizens 99 5 The History and Russian Society in the Nineteenth Century 129 6 Karamzin and 'Statist' Thought in Nineteenth-Century Russian Historical Writing 156 Conclusion 187 Notes 191 Glossary of Russian Terms 239 Select Bibliography 241 Karamzin's Works: English Translations 248 Appendix: Letters of Karamzin to Alexander i, I.I. Dmitriev, Prince P.A. Viazemsky 251 Arzamas Diploma (1816) 255 Index 257 To Milos Mladenovic This page intentionally left blank Acknowledgements A number of people and institutions have contributed in various ways to the completion of this book, but among the individuals to whom I am most indebted, Professor Milos Mladenovic of McGill University stands out as critic and guide. For that reason, this book is dedicated to him with my sincere appreciation. I am also grateful to the staffs at McGill University Library, the Lenin Library in Moscow, Helsinki University Library, Yale University Library, and the Russian and East European Research Centre at the University of Illinois, Champaigne- Urbana. I would also like to express appreciation to the trustees of the Senator McConnell awards, McGill University, to the Canada Council for three grants, and to Laurentian University, for financial assistance which made this effort possible. Last, but certainly not least, to my wife, Janice, and to my three children, thanks for their patience during the many hours which I spent closeted with this manuscript. This book has been published with the assistance of a grant from the Humanities Research Council of Canada, using funds provided by the Canada Council, and with the assistance of the Publications Fund of the University of Toronto Press, using a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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