Abstract

The process of self-identification of the community of Moscow historians was nearing completion by the early 20th century. The image of Sergei Mikhailovich Soloviev, long-term professor of the Department of Russian History, author of the History of Russia from Earliest Times, rector of the university, heir to T.N. Granovsky's traditions, played an important role in the collective memory of the representatives of the Moscow school of historians. The formation of commemorative traditions about Soloviev was associated with his colleagues' attempt, initiated by professor of the Department of World History V.I. Guerrier, at solemnly and publicly celebrating the publication of the 25th volume of the History of Russia from Earliest Times at Moscow University in 1876. Despite the resistance of the Minister of Public Education D.A. Tolstoy, who banned the official celebrations in honor of Soloviev at Moscow University, his admirers held them privately. The hero of the day was presented with a valuable gift and congratulatory addresses from various academic institutions. One of the consequences of this event was the appearance of the first biographers of Soloviev at Moscow University, V.I. Guerrier and at that time docent of the Moscow Theological Academy V.O. Klyuchevsky. The texts of Soloviev's disciples formed the so-called implicit knowledge about him, the “legend” about the teacher in the community of Moscow historians. Klyuchevsky did his best to make the image of Soloviev significant for the students of history at Moscow University at the turn of the century. He even tried to explain the foundation of his own school with its characteristic emphasis on archival studies of the reforms in the 18th-century Russia as following Soloviev's precept. However, among the university students of history the latter did not become as popular as T.N. Granovsky, whose memory persisted even in the early 20th century. This was largely due to the fact that a strong tradition of commemoration of Klyuchevsky, heir to Soloviev at the department, emerged immediately after his death in 1911.