Melnikov P.P. (1804-1880), engineer

Categories / Architecture/Personalia
MELNIKOV Pavel Petrovich (1804-1880, Luban, St. Petersburg province), engineer, statesman, Engineer-General (1869), Honoured Member of the Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1858). Graduated from the Engineering Institute of the School for Communication Routes (1825), taught there (professor from 1833), and, in 1833, joined the St. Petersburg Artillery School. One of the creators of the St. Petersburg - Moscow railroad; from 1842, he was the northern construction manager. From 1862, he was chief manager; in 1866-69, he became Minister of Communication Routes; in 1870-75, he became a member of the Committee of Railroads. He participated in the restoration of the cupola at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (designed and overseen by P.P. Bazen; 1834-1835), and in the creation of the metal spire at the SS. Peter&Paul Cathedral (together with D.I. Zhuravsky and A.S. Rekhnevsky; 1857-1858). He helped found railroad transport mechanics as an academic discipline. He developed theories on railroad design and construction, and helped plan railroad construction for the south of Russia. There is a memorial plaque with a bas-relief (1984) on the Petersburg University Communication Routes Building (9 Moskovsky Avenue), as well as a bust in the building itself; there is also a monument-bust (1955, sculptor D.M. Epifanov) in the park at the Luban Railway Station.

References: Воронин М. И., Воронина М. М. Павел Петрович Мельников, 1804-1880. Л., 1977.

D. Y. Guzevich, I. D. Guzevich. Bazen Peter Petrovich
Epifanov Dmitry Mikhailovich
Melnikov Pavel Petrovich
Rekhnevsky A.S.
Zhuravsky Dmitry Ivanovich
Moskovsky Ave/Saint Petersburg, city, house 9
Воронин М. И., Воронина М. М. Павел Петрович Мельников, 1804-1880. Л., 1977 Russian Academy of Sciences
Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment
SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral