Oleksandr Lototsky and Borys Hrinchenko: concerning cooperation on the publication of Ukrainian-language books (1900–1908)

Abstract

The relations and cooperation of the famous Ukrainian scientist, writer, publicist, publisher Oleksandr Lototskyi and the family of the Ukrainian writers — Borys and Maria Grinchenko are analyzed in the article. The publishing peculiarities of the Ukrainian-language books in the early twentieth century through the prism of the activity of Oleksandr Lototskyi — secretary of the “Charitable Society for Publication of Generally Useful and Cheap Books” (St. Petersburg) are highlighted in the article. The epistolary heritage of Oleksandr Lototskyi‘s located in the fund of the III Institute of Manuscripts of V.I. Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine was used by authors. The principles of historicism, scientific objectivity and systematics, as well as problem-chronological, comparative-historical and descriptive methods are used in writing the article. A study of Oleksandr Lototsky’s correspondence with Borys Grinchenko enables to find out that they had been actively cooperated even after 1900 when Oleksandr Lototskyi moved from Kyiv to St. Petersburg. Archival materials are published for the first time, revealing little-known details of Oleksandr Lototskyi’s persistent and painstaking work on the promotion of Borys Grinchenko’s Ukrainian-language manuscripts through censorship authorities. Such cooperation consisted of mutual discussion and editing of the manuscripts of Borys and Maria Grinchenko, which were to be published under such brands as “Vik” and “Charitable Society for Publication of Generally Useful and Cheap Books“. In particular, Oleksandr Lototskyi discussed with B. Grinchenko the issues of his Maria Grinchenko’s membership in the “Charitable Society for Publication of Generally Useful and Cheap Books“, cooperation with the “Ukrainian Vestnik“ magazine, as well as the terms of payment for their stories. Information about important historical events are involved in the scientific review, some facts from the history of book publishing development in Ukraine are specified, cultural and publishing networks of Ukrainian figures are defined. Important information has been found that opens up new perspectives for further in-depth study of their lives. It has been revealed that behind the cooperation in the field of literary and publishing during 1900–1908 the relations of both cultural leaders were creative, attentive, friendly and based on mutual assistance.