The social characteristics of the nobility in Stavropol province in the late 19th - early 20th centuries

The study comprehensively presented the social characteristics of the nobility in Stavropol province. The author analyzed the materials of the Russian Imperial Census of 1897 and archives that demonstrated the composition, number, and literacy rate of the nobility. The social structure of the province was characterized by the fact that there were few noblemen (5,739) in this region compared to other territories of the Russian Empire; the proportion of nobility was only 0.66%. The nobles held a public office. Therefore, personal nobility predominated in the structure of the class (55%); a considerable part of it (77%) lived in urban areas. The research identified the significant differences of the local nobility which had been influenced by the historical circumstances of the regional development. The study revealed that the main part of hereditary noblemen (94%) was recorded in the second and third parts of genealogical books; they belonged to the mid- and top-ranking officials and officers. The author concluded that the number of noblemen in Stavropol province decreased rapidly in the early 20th century in line with common trends in the Russian Empire. Despite this fact, nobles were the majority of students and demonstrated the relatively high education level and literacy rate.