«The most prominent jurist and historian-archaeologist». About D.Yu. Murashov’s book «Academician N.V. Kalachov» (Penza, 2024. 160 p.)

Abstract

The article analyzes the monograph by D.Yu. Murashov «Academician N.V. Kalachov», published on the eve of the 140th anniversary of the death of Nikolai Vasilyevich Kalachov (1819–1885). The name of an outstanding Russian historian, lawyer, archivist and the founder of local history is one of the first to create scientific fame for Russia in the 19th century. The author believes that the monograph by D.Yu. Murashov «Academician N.V. Kalachov» is the first detailed biography of the famous scholar and emphasizes the importance of the work to contemporary N.V. Kalachov’s biographers, who seek to popularize the life and scientific heritage of the academician. The author focuses on the features of the style of D.Yu. Murashov’s «creative laboratory»: an active use of previously unpublished archival materials, a careful study of sources and historiography of the topic, the presence of a well-thought-out structure of the work and the language of presentation accessible to a wide audience. Attention is drawn to D.Yu. Murashov’s personal attitude to the

main character of the study – the approach expressed in the monograph. The issue of perpetuating the memory of N.V. Kalachov is relevant. According to the author of the article, D.Yu. Murashov once again recalled the great contribution of N.V. Kalachov to the scientific and social life of Russia. A son of his homeland, a historian and archivist, deserves being perpetuated in at least one monument reminding us of that great personality. It is proposed to install a memorial sign at the burial site of N.V. Kalachov in the village of Saltykovo, the Penza region.