V.A. WISHNEVSKY (1888-1943). THE HISTORY OF AN ENGINEER AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE ELECTRIFICATION ERA

Personal history of Soviet scholars, engineers and technicians is of particular relevance for study today. The article considers personal and professional life of Vladimir A. Wishnevsky, an engineer at city power plant no. 2 in Kazan. The research is based on sources of different origin: state archives, the Wishnevsky family archive, memoirs, V.A. Wishnevsky’s diary, data from of periodical printed and electronic publications, state museums, and open Internet sources. While studying the sources of personal origin, the author uncovered the key factsfrom Wishnevsky’s biography as an engineering and scientific and pedagogical staff member. In addition, valuable information for the research was provided by the employees of JSC “Network Company”. Unpublished sources, primarily from personal archives, were introdued into a wide scientific turn. The author concludes that V.A. Wishnevsky’s personal history reflects the significant milestones of the national history from the late 19th century to 1940s. V.A. Wishnevsky, a talented power engineer who made a significant contribution to the development of the energy industry, lived a life closely intertwined with major events in Russian history. His biography spans the period from the end of the Russian Empire to the establishment of Soviet power, industrialization, and repressions. Wishnevsky’s professional achievements were recognized by his colleagues, who acknowledged his high qualifications.