В настоящий момент Российская Федерация может boast the presence of 2.5 thousand universities. However, until the mid-18th century, even in Moscow there was not a single institution of higher education. Who participated in the creation of MSU? What distinguished the university from its European counterparts, as well as interesting facts and myths about the country's oldest university, read in our material.
How was Moscow University created?
In fairness it should be noted that MSU is notwas the first university in the country. He was ahead of St. Petersburg University, opened under Peter the Great. However, the school did not reach the European level, and for such a large country a single university was not enough.
This was understood by the first Russian academician, Mikhail.Lomonosov. It was he who invented the MSU project and wrote a letter to the favorite of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna Shuvalov. The younger daughter Peter I saw the prospects in this project and signed it. The year when the Moscow State University was established was officially 1755th. Date coincided with the name of St. Tatiana - January 25. Therefore, this day is celebrated the day of students.
Everyone who participated in the creation of MSU, from the veryBeginning seriously treated the project. Firstly, the university was given a building in the center of Moscow on Red Square (now the Historical Museum is located there). Secondly, the state did not spare funds for the maintenance of the university. Huge sums were spent at MSU. Thousands of gold went to the instruments and equipment, cost the university library four times more. At the very creation of the university spent 10 thousand rubles.
The first faculties of MSU
The creation of Moscow State University Lomonosov largely prompteddevelopment of culture and science in the country. It was Moscow University that, for the first time in the history of Russia, began to recruit for the faculties not only of noble offspring, but also children from other classes. The exception concerned perhaps the serfs. It was possible to study at MSU in three faculties:
- medical;
- philosophical;
- legal.
Unlike in Europe, there was no Russian universitytheological department. In addition, students could study science both in Latin and in their native language. The most capable students were subsequently sent to Europe. So to speak, for advanced training.
University lecturer (projectLomonosov) could also become a person from any class. In the second half of the 18th century, 26 professors were working at Moscow State University; only three of them could boast noble roots.
Despite huge investments, the university was not enoughof money. The university was helped by well-known patrons of art: Demidov, Dashkova, and the Stroganovs. This is only a part of those figures who participated in the creation of MSU. In addition, the financial institution of higher education was supported by former graduates, and the professors bequeathed their accumulated collected works to the library.
Great minds from Moscow University
The vast majority of enlighteners 18-19century it was graduated from Moscow State University. The history of the university, thus, determined the fate of the country. Already a year after the foundation of the university, a printing house and a bookstore were opened. At Moscow State University, the first non-governmental publication, the Moskovskie Vedomosti newspaper, was launched. For more than a century, anyone could attend lectures by professors or the library of Moscow University.
In the 18th century, figures were issued from the walls of the universityRussian science and culture, such as the philosopher Anichkov, the mathematician Pankevich, the physicist Strakhov. Graduated from the university and the writers Fonvizin and Novikov. A century later, scientific societies began to form at Moscow State University. For example, lovers of Russian literature.
Griboedov, Chaadaev, Goncharov, Tyutchev, Chekhov and Fet- This is only a small part of eminent graduates of Moscow State University. Most of them remembered their native university with warmth all their lives. That's just Afanasy Fet for some reason could not tolerate the capital university. Each time, passing or passing by the Moscow State University, he approached the door of the building, spat on them and went on about his business.
Myths and facts from the history of the university
Despite the fact that Lomonosov was the first toparticipated in the creation of Moscow State University, the university received its name only in 1940. In addition, world history has not passed by the oldest university in the country. So, during the Second World War, Moscow University was evacuated from the capital. First in Ashgabat, then in Sverdlovsk. But even in the evacuation, he continued to release valuable personnel. Thus, during the war, more than 3000 specialists graduated from Moscow State University. The same amount of scientific research was carried out within the walls of the university for those terrible 4 years.
In 1953, Moscow University received a newbuilding on Sparrow Hills. It was originally planned that the 36-story high-rise would be crowned with a statue of Stalin, but the leader died in the year of construction, and now MSU is decorated with a spire. It is said that a modern building is so strong that it can withstand a bombardment, and there are various legends and myths about its basements.
