Литературный факт (Dec 2024)
How history was taught in the old days: from the correspondence of F.A. Gilles with V.A. Zhukovsky
Abstract
The published letter, which was addressed to V.A. Zhukovsky by F.A. Gilles, one of the mentors of Grand Duke Alexander Nikolaevich (the future Emperor Alexander II), describes in detail the history exam, which took place in the spring of 1833 for the heir and his peers I.M. Vielgorsky and A.V. Patkul, who studied with him. The emperor and Empress, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, M.M. Speransky, and I.F. Kruzenshtern were present at the exam, as well as the Grand Duke’s teachers in other disciplines, among whom there were several honorary members of the Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburg. Gilles describes each respondent and tells about their behavior and character traits. The letter also contains information about the illness and departure abroad for the treatment of Karl Karlovich Meder, the primary tutor of the Grand Duke. Gilles also briefly mentions his studies with Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna and Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna. The letter includes 49 questions on the foreign history of the Middle Ages, which contain marks indicating the persons who should have received the corresponding tasks: A. (Alexander), W. (Vielgorsky), P. (Patkul).
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