Boris Vasilyevich Anan’ich (1931–2015): sketches for a portrait

Abstract

The article is devoted to the research, teaching activities, and outstanding personality traits of the eminent Russian scientist, Doctor in History, professor, and academician Boris V. Anan’ich. He has conducted deep and comprehensive research of Russian economic and financial history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, revealed the peculiarities of Russian capitalism, the role of banks in the economic and political development of Russia, the potential of the reformist government. According to Boris V. Anan’ich, Russia could hardly avoid the revolutionary upheavals of the early twentieth century. Boris Vasilievich found the ideological origins of the “people’s autocracy theory” and gave it the detailed description. He was able to comprehensively analyse the economic system, political views and public activities of Sergei Witte. Boris V. Anan’ich conducted brilliant historical-source research into the so-called “Academic Case of 1929–1931”, which was the basis for the repression of the most prominent Russian historians. Professor Boris Romanov has played a huge role in the fate of Boris V. Anan’ich. Boris Anan’ich in turn has taught a lot of competent and original researchers at St. Petersburg State University and the St. Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientific-pedagogical activity of Boris Vasilievich became a professional and moral school for his disciples and followers. Refs 12.