Wealth of the princes Beloselsky-Belozersky family in 1890–1917

Abstract

In the article with reference to some little-known documents from the personal fund of the princes Beloselsky-Belozersky in the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts, an issue of economic adaptation of large landowners in the conditions of industrial modernization of Russia in 1890–1917 is considered. The basis of the property of this aristocratic family was a huge complex of land holdings in the Ural provinces. These non-agricultural estates could provide their owners in the new economic conditions with excellent opportunities to increase incomes and general well-being. The main attention is paid to the economic and financial decisions of the owners in relation to the Urals industrial enterprises and urban realty. Some aspects of the private, everyday life of this aristocratic family are also considered, including those connected with the use of extensive estates on Krestovsky island in St. Petersburg. The conclusion is made about the extremely ambiguous consequences of the economic policy of the princes Beloselsky-Belozersky in the period under review. The refusal of independent management and financing of the Ural factories led, on the one hand, to the loss of landed property, on the other hand, it facilitated the transfer of basic assets into bank capital and securities. Government support in the 1880–1890s of the mining district of Beloselsky-Belozersky, and, moreover, the establishment later on of guardianship were by no means a charity. Financial failures in the organization of industrial production led to a completely reasonable decision to sell the Ural possessions.