THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE SHAMONINS’ NOBLE FAMILY FROM THE NIZHNY NOVGOROD IN 1914 (BASED ON EPISTOLARY MATERIALS)

The publication is based on an epistolary source by S. N. Shamonina addressed to N. N. Platonova. It provides an opportunity to trace the life of an impoverished noble family living in Nizhny Novgorod in 1914. This publication continues the story of the Shamonins, which began in 1895. The letters provide an opportunity to immerse themselves and see the living conditions against the background of the external environment: the Nizhny Novgorod gymnasium, where Sofia Nikolaevna worked as a teacher for many years, and other educational institutions where her children studied. With the outbreak of the First World War, a new era begins, although it is mentioned only in passing. But it has already affected Yuri's eldest son, a graduate of the Marine Corps, the Platonov family and other relatives. Adult children begin their independent lives, the youngest (three of them) are under the care of their mother. There are still not enough funds, and only the selfless help of the Platonovs and other relatives allows the family to live modestly, changing rented housing to a more modest one. The work uses a biographical method based on the study of a person in the context of history, reconstruction of life circumstances based on personal documents. The retrospective and chronological serve a supporting role. For the first time, an interesting epistolary source from 1914 is introduced into scientific circulation, revealing the life of a family that was in close kinship with the famous professorial family, the Platonov family. The source base of the article is archival materials from the academician's personal fund. As a result of the research, reliable information was obtained about the life of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of the Shamonins’ noble family. The selfless help of the Platonovs has been clarified, which is an important clarification of their life attitudes.