Reconstruction of the Book Collection of the Ural Owner of Mines of the 18th century A.F. Turchaninov

Abstract

The article discusses the monograph of E.P. Pirogova, dedicated to the reconstruction of the private library of the Ural owner of mines A.F. Turchaninov (1704—1787). The monograph is based on the unique source — the detailed inventory of property compiled in 1789. The document allowed to create the catalog of the Russian part of the collection and the review of foreign books. The monograph also includes the archaeographic publication of inventory materials related to the books and other printed products. The author of the monograph introduced into scientific circulation the detailed information about one of the largest private libraries in Russia in the second half of the 18th century and probably the most significant in the Urals in that historical period. It allows us to refute the existing view in historiography about the ceremonial nature of A.F. Turchaninovʼs book collection. Now the owner of mines and metallurgical works can be considered as an active and thoughtful collector of books and user of his own library, familiar with the cultural practices of the Era of Enlightenment.