Graphological interests of N. D. Akhsharumov in the light of the author’s self-consciousness: introductory remarks

The article deals with the description of the collective monograph “Graphology” in the light of self-consciousness and life-creation of critic and writer of 2nd part of the 19th century N. D. Aksharumov. The collective monograph was published in Riga in 1894. That project united graphologist F.F. Tishkov, dr D.D. Aksharumov (MD) and a popular writer N.D. Aksharumov. In spite of the fact that their theories lack originality and are derivative from the ideas of C. Lombroso and G. Michon, that book contains important material for literary and historical studies and hermeneutical reconstructions. Its 33-page supplement deserves special attention as it presents graphological symbols illustrating the monograph’s theses. That section also contains imitations of famous people’s handwriting -- artist Ivan Aivazovsky, writers and poets Alexander Pushkin, Nicolay Gogol, and others. The article presents a hypothesis about special significance of the book for the author's self-consciousness. So, Akhsharumov was among the first Russian writers, who openly declared his competence in handwriting analysis. The search for the "Prototype" is one of the key ideas of the book. Akhsharumov’s figure is important for a new retrospective view of Russian literature and the writer's own creativity. However, the work on that book and its applications, as to differ from his efforts in fiction, helped him penetrate the secrets of the creative laboratory of the Other and without a doubt made significant changes in the author's identity.