Personality in the Yenisei Siberia history. A.R. Schneider (1877-1930)

The paper examines the significance of the individual in the history of the Yenisei Siberia on the example of people who had a significant role in certain periods of the development of society, since this circumstance contributes to a deepening of ideas about the course of the historical process. Based on the latest literature and archival materials, an attempt was made to restore the life of Alexander Robertovich Schneider, an active participant in political, socio-economic, cultural transformations in the Yenisei Province in the pre-revolutionary and Soviet era (1877-1930). A biography cannot be reduced to a sketch of a historical portrait of the person under study; in this regard, when working on it, an analysis of historical conditions, life circumstances, and their changes is required. The study briefly presents the friendship of the Schneider family with the artist Vasily Surikov. Alexander Robertovich being legally qualified, was interested in the society reorganization, land management, statistical, economic and museum matters. The active participation of Schneider in such communities as the Russian Geographical Society, the Society of Local Historians, the Society for the Study of Siberia and the Productive Forces, the commission for the organization of the Institute of the National Economy of Siberia is considered. Particularly emphasized is his participation in solving the issues of enlightenment of the people, which was one of the conditions for the progressive development of the region. The study noted that this figure can be called one of the pioneers of Siberian science, since his scientific articles, work as part of the editorial board of the Siberian Soviet Encyclopedia were a significant contribution to the development of the research potential of the region.