Vasily Nikitich Tatishchev

Vasily Nikitich Tatishchev is a founder of Russian historical science, geographer and statesman. Having graduated from the Engineering and Artillery school in Moscow, he took part in the Great Northern War (1700-1721) with Sweden, performing missions of Peter the Great. He founded Yekaterinburg, Orenburg, Orsk and Stavropol on the Volga.

Tatischev was born in Pskov. In 1704 he entered the army and did military service at Azov’s Dragoon regiment, took part in Narva’s siege, and was wounded during the Battle of Poltava. Tatishchev was entrusted by Peter the First with running Ural factories (1720 – 1722). In 1724 he was sent to Sweden to get acquaintance with a condition of mining. Tatishchev opposed the policies of the Supreme Privy Council and supported Anna's ascension to the Russian throne in 1730. Tatischev finished his official career as a governor of Astrakhan (1741-44).

Having retired from active service, Tatishchev dedicated himself to scholarly pursuits. He created the «Russian History», compiled the first encyclopaedia in Russia, discovered and published several legal documents of great interest, e.g., Russkaya Pravda and Sudebnik of 1550. Vasily Nikitich did a lot for Togliatti: organized the expedition prior to the city construction and the construction itself. A monument to Vasily Tatishchev was set up here, June, 2nd, 1998. Tatischev did a great deal for the development of economic, legal and philosophical researches. For the first time in Russian historiography Tatischev made an attempt to reveal mechanism of society development, to substantiate the origin of the state power. Having refused the point of view that «Manifest Destiny» is in an explanation for all historical events, Tatischev acted as the rationalist, connecting historical process with the development of human’s mind. Throughout his works, he entertains his favorite idea that autocracy is the perfect form of government for Russia.

Scientific merits of Tatischev's work have been disputed even in the 18th century but there is no doubt that Tatishchev was the first to begin historical research in Russia on a scientific basis.

Tatishchev died at the estate Boldino near Moscow on July 15, 1750.