Charitable activities of merchants in the public education sphere (on example of the Vologda province of the second third of the XIX century)

With help of the materials published in the Vologda Provincial Gazette, the paper examines the main directions of charitable activity of the merchants in the Vologda province in the public education sphere in the second third of the XIX century. They include donations for the current needs of educational institutions, presenting schools with items necessary for the learning process, financial support of poor students, maintenance of educational buildings. The large-scale contribution provided by merchants to the education system of the province is confirmed by the public expression of gratitude from high officials of public education and giving them awards.