Mikhail Pogodin in memoirs of contemporaries and historical researches
In the article it is about life and activity of the historian, the publicist, the collector of ancient historical documents Mikhail Pogodin. The accent is put on research of the source study and historiographic traditions connected with studying of life and Mikhail Pogodin's creativity. As sources memories of contemporaries of Mikhail Pogodin, and also works of the historian written on the different historical eras containing estimates (different) roles and values of activity of Mikhail Pogodin as the historian, the publicist, the collector of ancient documents are used. The historiography review contains the analysis of participation of Mikhail Pogodin in public historical discussions of the 19th century; its position in relation to the movement of Slavophiles is considered. Authors of article adhere to the point of view that Mikhail Pogodin was not a Slavophile in that sense which traditionally contacted the use of the word “Slavophile”. Mikhail Pogodin was not fond of geopolitical designs of borders of the empire that occupied Slavophiles, and sought to understand originality and specifics of historical development of Russia. The points of view of the historian, political scientist and linguist on various aspects of activity are given in the article; the assessment is given to his participation in public discussions on problems of an origin of Russia (“Normanism theory”), Peter I transformations and serf reform of 1861.