Educational activity of V.A. Levshin on the dissemination of advanced agricultural knowledge in the second half of the XVIII – first quarter of the XIX century

Education and Culture
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In this article, based on the works of V.A. Levshin (1746–1826) “on the economic part” and the proposals and letters of the educator to the Free Economic Society, which are stored in the Russian State Historical Archive, identified by the author and introduced into scientific circulation, the first attempt in Russian historiography to review his main economic works, which brought Levshin well-deserved fame among his contemporaries, is made. Review of the main economic works and translations of V.A. Levshina testifies that he fully shared the aspirations of the advanced landowners-entrepreneurs who were looking for ways to increase the productivity and profitability of the economy. The author comes to the conclusion that the economic works of V.A. Levshin, who made a significant contribution to the development of agricultural knowledge and its practical application in Russia, can be considered progressive for his time. First, his translations of the works of foreign authors useful for land use, which were made taking into account the peculiarities of the climate and soil of the regions of Russia, as well as his own observations, theoretical developments and advice on the practical organization of agriculture, crafts, could give a tangible economic effect, increasing the productivity and profitability of the economy. Secondly, they were part of the educational activities of V.A. Levshin in terms of dissemination of advanced agricultural knowledge. The author also made a previously unknown clarification in the biography of V.A. Levshin, which has an essential character for studying the life of the educator.