Historical portrait of Gavrila Nikiforov, a Y akut merchant of the 1 st guild

The article explores the economic, social and charitable activities of Gavrila Nikiforov, a Yakut merchant of the 1st guild. The aim of the publication is to recreate Nikiforov's historical portrait. Achieving this aim involves a wide use of archival sources, previously unpublished and not introduced into scholarly discourse. The topic has not been sufficiently studied in modern historiography of Siberia; it has scientific relevance and significance. The study of the key issue of the publication is based on the methodology of modernization and chronological, systemic, biographical methods. The author determined Nikiforov's origin, place of birth and initial sources of capital accumulation. The article states that Nikiforov established several enterprises with the aim of organizing fur trade in the northern districts of Yakutsk Oblast in 1900-1910. In 1906 Nikiforov's stores were opened in Verkhoyansk, Ko-lymsk, Bulun, Abye, and Kyusyur. In 1914 the merchant became a contributor to the Northern Commercial and Industrial Partnership, bought a trading business of fur traders and became the owner of one of the largest companies in North-East Siberia with a turnover of 1 million rubles a year. In 1914-1919, Nikiforov's annual turnover in fur trade exceeded 1 million rubles. In Yakutsk, Nikiforov conducted wholesale and retail trade in fur, groceries and consumer goods from stores. Nikiforov's supplies of furs to European and North American markets in 1914-1917 amounted to 800 thousand rubles a year. Nikiforov's public education activity was expressed in the construction and maintenance of schools for children, a museum, a library, and financial assistance to residents in paying taxes. During the First World War, Nikiforov was engaged in the procurement and dispatch of warm fur products to the front. Nikiforov enjoyed authority among the local population, was repeatedly elected councilor of the Yakutsk City Council, and was a member of charitable organizations. The merchant took part in meetings under Yakut Governor Ivan Kraft and decided on important strategic issues. In 1918-1919, Nikiforov organized the supply of needy population of Yakutsk Oblast with consumer goods and food products for 400 thousand rubles. For his services, he had state awards. He was an honorary “foreigner” of East-Kangalassky ulus of Yakutsk Oblast. The article defines the personal and business qualities of the Yakut merchant. The main conclusion of the article is that the reconstruction of Nikiforov's historical portrait allowed expanding the previously existing ideas about his contribution to the socioeconomic development of Yakutsk Oblast during the period of modernization of the Russian economy.

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