"Day notes of Peter Oznobishin from 1796 September" as a historical source

The article discusses the analysis of Petr Oznobishin’s manuscript “Petr Oznobishin’s Diary Since September, 1796”. It examines the social climate of provincial nobles along with their views on government officials. Studying diaries dated by the end of the eighteenth century is particularly relevant for history, literature and culture studies. This allows us to understand historical events and the socio-cultural background of the century under analysis more fully. Since diaries and other private materials written by famous politicians and government officials may seem insufficient for more detailed analysis, we need to take into account unpublished and scientifically undescribed materials written by average representatives of Russian society. The article presents description of the diary from the point of source criticism as well as its potential for analyzing daily life of nobles and provincial cities in the end the eighteenth century. Petr Oznobishin’s diary allows us to clarify details of Morteza Qoli Khan Qajar’s biography, the remarkable Persian politician. Despite elaborate preparations for the war against Persia, he managed to invite Russian provincial officials of all ranks to receptions. The examining of Petr Oznobishin’s diary provides valuable information regarding ‘natsionalny vopros’ (nationalist problem) in the Russian Empire as well as cooperation of various ethnicities in the south of the country and the way Russian nobles perceived their activity. With the help of P.N. Oznobishin’s notes, which he took from September to December in 1796, daily life of Russian noble government officers and officials is examined in terms of its peculiar features.