Novikov N.I. (1744-1818), journalist, publisher

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NOVIKOV Nikolaiy Ivanovich (1744-1818), man of letters, journalist, publisher. Studied in the gymnasium affiliated to the Moscow University (1756-59). From 1762-67 and 1769-79 lived in St. Petersburg. Rendered military service in the Izmaylovsky Lifeguard Regiment, from 1767 held the post of Secretary to the Commission for the Establishment of the New Code, in 1769 resigned. From 1775 was a member of the Astrea Masonic Lodge, subsequently gained stature as one the most eminent figures of Russian masonry. Novikov was known as one of the leading institutors of the journal business in St. Petersburg. Published the Truten (1769-70), Pustomelya (1770), Zhivopisets (1772-73), Koshelek (1774) satirical journals, which became samples of Russian educational journalismFragment of a Voyage to *** I*** Т*** (which appeared in the Zhivopisets and attributed to Novikov, became a milestone in the development of the Russian narrative prose. In the 1770s Novikov actively promoted book publishing in St. Petersburg (Historic Dictionary of Russian writers, 1772; The Ancient Russian collection of written sources on Russian history, 1773-75 and others), organised the first Russian Book Publishing Society (1772). He also published the Sankt-Peterburgskie Uchenye Vedomosti — first critical bibliographic journal in Russian (1777), Utrenny Svet ethics journal (in St. Petersburg in 1777–79) — the printing press of the Russian masons, channelling the revenue from its publication into the establishment of the Ekaterininsky and Alexandrovsky schools in St. Petersburg. Novikov stood opposing the views of Catherine the Great, in the light of the French Revolution developments in 1789 and the Pugachev Insurrection led firstly in the restriction of his activities by the government, and later to his arrest and imprisonment in the Shliesselburg Fortress (1792-96). By Emperor Pavel I's decree Novikov was released and spent the last years of his life in his estate near Moscow. In the late 1770s resided on Vasilievsky Island.

References: Макогоненко Г. П. Николай Новиков и русское просвещение XVIII века. М.; Л., 1951; Н. И. Новиков и общественно-литературное движение его времени. Л., 1976. (XVIII век; Сб. 11); Некрасов С. М. Апостол добра: Повествование о Н. И. Новикове. М., 1994.

В. А. Кузнецов, D. N. Cherdakov. Catherine II, Empress
Novikov Nikolay Ivanovich
Paul (Pavel) I, Emperor
Макогоненко Г. П. Николай Новиков и русское просвещение XVIII века. М.; Л., 1951
Н. И. Новиков и общественно-литературное движение его времени. Л., 1976
Некрасов С. М. Апостол добра: Повествование о Н.И. Новикове. М., 1994 Izmaylovsky Life Guards Regiment
Truten (The Drone), journal
1772
1769