Development of philanthropy and charity as a reflection of social policy during turn of the 17th - early 20th centuries

Researchers’ interest in experience of the past, traditions of the Russian charity and its social and political aspects is quite logical. The aim of the article is to reveal the historic continuity of the philanthropic activities in Russia during 17 th - early 20 th centuries, the study of which can help to adopt some good methods and modes of such a type of the social activity.