Serhiy Zarudny: Reflections on the Anniversary

Abstract

The article refers to the life and creative career of an outstanding lawyer, translator, statesman, senator, privy councilor of Ukrainian origin – Serhiy Zarudny. The overview of his official career is given. The life history of Serhiy Zarudny is hard work, honesty, patience, purposefulness. Serhiy Zarudny was born on March 17, 1821 in the village of Kolodyazne, Kupyansk district, Kharkiv province. In 1842 he graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Kharkiv University with a mathematician’s degree. However, the mathematician who dreamed to be an astronomer, by a twist of fate had to become a lawyer when he got hired by the Department of the Ministry of Justice. Thanks to his hard work, he quickly took a close look at Russian jurisprudence and began to study classical works of foreign legal literature. The lack of official legal education did not discourage S. Zarudny in any way – it was the area where he found his mission. In the Department of the Ministry of Justice, Zarudny served for almost 15 years holding various positions – from senior aide of the Head of the Department to senior legal adviser at the Ministry of Justice. He became an outstanding lawyer, translator, statesman, senator, privy councilor. He took an active part in the development of fundamental provisions of the Peasant Reform of 1861 and the Judiciary Reform of 1864. It is sad that later he had to observe the destruction of his life-work by reactionary forces. He remained steadfast to the last, defending achievements of the democratic principles in justice system and judicature.