The early years of the biography of Nikolai Kostomarov

Abstract

The article is devoted to the early years of Nikolai Kostomarov's biography. The scientific literature still pays little attention to this period in the life of Nikolai Kostomarov. In this study, attention is focused on the early stage of the historian's life. In most cases, pre-revolutionary literature showed interest in this period. Later, the early years of the scientist's biography were presented only in the form of individual episodes. Traditionally, the main attention of researchers has been attracted by the problem of participation in the national liberation movement, its historical and political views. The subject of the study is the initial stage of the formation and development of the socio-political views of N.I. Kostomarov. The methodological basis consists of the principles of historicism and objectivity. The scientific novelty of the study is as follows: the pedigree of the Kostomarov family is partially reconstructed, the conditions in which the personality of the future scientist was formed are shown. The article describes the first seventeen years of the life of the future Russian and Ukrainian historian, ethnographer, writer and literary critic. The conditions in which the development of Kostomarov's personality took place, difficult life circumstances that contributed to the formation of his character are shown. The practical significance of the research lies in the fact that the actual data can be used in generalizing works characterizing the socio-political situation of the Russian Empire of the XIX century, in historiographical studies.