Timkovsky: the first mentor of Ushinsky

Abstract

Introduction. The problem of mentoring is one of the most urgent in pedagogical science. It′s important to take into account the positive experience previously developed by Russian and foreign science and educational practice, through the efforts of prominent teachers of the past, such as Ilya Fedorovich Timkovsky (1772-1853), who left his own unique mark in the history of the Russian enlightenment. He was the first mentor of the great teacher Konstantin Ushinsky. The purpose of the article is to show the importance of Ilya Timkovsky personality in the development of education. The objectives of the research are to create a biography of Timkovsky based on little–known sources, to characterize his activities in connection with the historical situation and the state of school affairs in the first half of the twentieth century in Russia. Materials and methods. Research methods – analysis of historical and pedagogical, methodological and memoir literature on the research topic, biographical, historical and comparative methods, axiological (value) approach to the study of historical and pedagogical material. Results. Ilya Timkovsky carried out active, fruitful organizational and administrative activities during the preparation for the opening of Kharkiv University and as the director of the Novgorod-Seversk Gymnasium, and also made a significant contribution to science and memoiristics. Memories of Timkovsky, left by his students K. Ushinsky and M. Chaly, allow us to imagine the personality of this outstanding figure of education. The memoirs of Timkovsky himself make it possible to more clearly present the historical events that he was a participant and witness. Conclusion. The personality of Ilya Timkovsky is one of the most significant in the history of Russian education and needs further study by historians of pedagogy. The article was prepared in connection with the 250th anniversary of Ilya Timkovsky.