The portrait from the museum collection depicts the first governor of the Yeniseisk governorate, Alexander Stepanov. For a long time, the museum staff did not know whose portrait it was. Only thanks to the memories of a native Krasnoyarsk resident Ivan Parfentyev, scientists found out that that was the first Yeniseisk governor.
Before taking up this post, Alexander Stepanov made a good military career. He served on the staff of the legendary military commander Alexander Suvorov, and later held a position in the Department of Justice, and was a prosecutor in Kaluga. In 1809, Stepanov received the rank of collegiate counselor and retired three years later. But when the Patriotic War began, he could not stay away and again became a military man, holding a position on the logistics of the army under the leadership of Senator Kaverin. As a result, Stepanov was awarded the rank of State Counselor, one of the highest ranks in the Russian Empire, and received a new position — the governor of the Yeniseisk governorate.
A brilliant organiser, Alexander Stepanov had done a lot for the development of the region and the city. During his governance, in Krasnoyarsk, the first shopping streets, libraries, hospitals, pharmacies, and educational institutions were opened. In addition, Stepanov organized a city park in Krasnoyarsk. In 1828, he also became the author of the first literary collection of regional writers — the Yeniseisk Almanac. He wrote poetic works, some of which became romances. For example, ‘I leave the countries of the East’, ‘Let evil people laugh’, ‘Between the mountains and the Yenisei’. He was no stranger to prose. In particular, he wrote the novels ‘The Secret’ and ‘The Inn’.
However, as it often happened, the governor had enemies and slanderers, who convinced Emperor Nicholas I to dismiss Stepanov. Moreover, he gave a reason for this himself: Stepanov sympathized with the Decembrists who lived in exile in Krasnoyarsk. In particular, one of Stepanov’s friends was the writer, the Decembrist Gavriil Batenkov.
In April 1831, Alexander Stepanov was removed from office. After this event, he left for Kaluga and devoted himself to literary activity. There he wrote a two-volume work ‘The Yeniseisk governorate’. For this work, he received the Demidov Prize of 2000 rubles from the Academy of Sciences and a diamond ring from Emperor Nicholas I himself. This publication still has scientific value. The book provides information on the history, demography, economic development of the region, and many other important details.
Before taking up this post, Alexander Stepanov made a good military career. He served on the staff of the legendary military commander Alexander Suvorov, and later held a position in the Department of Justice, and was a prosecutor in Kaluga. In 1809, Stepanov received the rank of collegiate counselor and retired three years later. But when the Patriotic War began, he could not stay away and again became a military man, holding a position on the logistics of the army under the leadership of Senator Kaverin. As a result, Stepanov was awarded the rank of State Counselor, one of the highest ranks in the Russian Empire, and received a new position — the governor of the Yeniseisk governorate.
A brilliant organiser, Alexander Stepanov had done a lot for the development of the region and the city. During his governance, in Krasnoyarsk, the first shopping streets, libraries, hospitals, pharmacies, and educational institutions were opened. In addition, Stepanov organized a city park in Krasnoyarsk. In 1828, he also became the author of the first literary collection of regional writers — the Yeniseisk Almanac. He wrote poetic works, some of which became romances. For example, ‘I leave the countries of the East’, ‘Let evil people laugh’, ‘Between the mountains and the Yenisei’. He was no stranger to prose. In particular, he wrote the novels ‘The Secret’ and ‘The Inn’.
However, as it often happened, the governor had enemies and slanderers, who convinced Emperor Nicholas I to dismiss Stepanov. Moreover, he gave a reason for this himself: Stepanov sympathized with the Decembrists who lived in exile in Krasnoyarsk. In particular, one of Stepanov’s friends was the writer, the Decembrist Gavriil Batenkov.
In April 1831, Alexander Stepanov was removed from office. After this event, he left for Kaluga and devoted himself to literary activity. There he wrote a two-volume work ‘The Yeniseisk governorate’. For this work, he received the Demidov Prize of 2000 rubles from the Academy of Sciences and a diamond ring from Emperor Nicholas I himself. This publication still has scientific value. The book provides information on the history, demography, economic development of the region, and many other important details.
