PROF. VIKTOR I. HRYHOROVYCH: FROM THE DEAN TO PROVINCIAL CITIZEN: A SOCIAL PORTRAIT OF THE SCHOLAR

Abstract

This paper covers the first years of the School of History and Philology (Novorossiya University) famous for its professorship and alumni works after it was established and organised. The authors of the paper use archival documents and memoirs to substantiate their story of this prominent school formation. The figure of the Europe-wide famous Slavic scholar Viktor Ivanovych Hryhorovych has been given comprehensive attention in respect to his zealous administrative and scientific activities, first as a Novorossiya University Senate member and later as the first elected Dean of its School of History and Philology. The authors highlight his intensive organisational work to recruit new teaching staff, shape curricula and subject syllabuses as well as his educational and methodological activities aimed to provide the best educational services. Special treatment is given to Prof. Viktor I. Hryhorovych business qualities, humanistic worldview and morals which were reflected in his treatment of students, colleagues and numerous disciples. Authors of the paper claim that despite lots of difficulties and administrative obstacles he succeeded as the renowned Dean of the School of History and Philology respected by colleagues and students and a person of dignity leading it ahead. Special attention has been also given to the “Yelisavetgrad period” of Prof. Viktor I. Hryhorovych life in October–December 1876 (named after the city of Yelisavetgrad in the Kherson Province). Throughout this time he kept cooperating with his colleagues and students to continue fruitful researches of the raw study material he had accumulated for the long years of scholarly expeditions, archival work and library studies held in many countries of the world.