Russian editions in the book collection of count P.A. Valuev stored in the Scientific Library of Tomsk State University

The article presents results of the study of the library of a prominent statesman in Russia in the second half of the 19th century, count Peter Alexandrovich Valuev (1815-1890). This book collection is analyzed as a single whole for the first time. The purpose of the research is the selection and study of individual thematic collections of Russian publications. The methodological basis of the research is the sociocultural and historical-literary methods. These methods were used in such a new direction of research as the reader interest history, and made it possible to study the influence of the owner's personality on the formation of the library and its composition. In 1885 Valuev's library was acquired by the Ministry of Public Education for the Tomsk University. Upon receipt of this book collection in the university library, it was disbanded and its books were distributed among different departments. In 1995, restoring of the book collection was begun. Currently about 2,600 books have been collected - 1100 books in Russian and 1500 in foreign languages (German, French and English). The article gives brief information about the life and activities of Valuev. In accordance with the peculiarities of his biography and state activity, the separate thematic collections that constitute the Russian part of the library are considered. They represent publications on legislation, statistics, history, geology and mining, agriculture, religion and theology, geography, travels. Books with inscriptions by the authors who presented Valuev with their works are worthy of attention. Although literature is not found in the Russian part of the library, examples of reviews written by the count on the books he read are given, including the one about novel by L.N. Tolstoy “War and Peace”. The materials presented in the article show that the count was collecting primarily books that were necessary for his service. The study of thematic composition of the Russian part of the library of Valuev shows the breadth of his intellectual interests as a statesman. Library completely reflects the level of interest of count to modern legislative, historical, scientific, artistic literature and visually represents the circle of his reading. All this suggests the book collection of P.A.Valuev a noble monument of Russian culture of the 19th century.

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