Samara vice-governors of the second half of the XIX century: powers, socio-cultural characteristics

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the place and role of the post of vice-governor in the system of provincial administration and the reconstruction of the socio-cultural portrait of Samara vice-governors of the second half of the XIX century. The relevance of the topic under study is determined by the special significance of the analysis of personnel composition of the provincial administrative apparatus as the most important component of the entire system of imperial statehood. Governors and vice-governors were the main conductors and executors of the imperial course and representatives of the power of the monarch, which was of great importance due to the vastness and heterogeneity of the imperial space. This article discusses the duties, functions and powers of vice-governors, the schemes for their appointment, the main activities. Based on the analysis of archival documents and published sources, the biographies and main stages of service career of eleven Samara vice-governors of the second half of the XIX century were studied: M.P. Zhdanov, G.S. Aksakov, A.I. Kotlyarevsky, S.P. Ushakov, A.A. Panchulidzev, V.D. Levshin, V.V. Lukoshkov, A.G. von-Brinkman, A.S. Bryanchaninov, A.P. Rogovich, K.A. Balyasnov. The study of biographical information made it possible to compile a social portrait of the vice-governors, which includes the following parameters: the average age of taking office as a lieutenant governor, the level of education, the rank upon taking office, the term of office, and further career continuation. When analyzing digital data, comparisons were made with similar works in all European provinces and the provinces of the Ural region. Thus, the conducted research showed that most of the Samara vice-governors were educated officials with the necessary experience in administrative activities and became worthy governors in other regions of the Russian Empire.