Generations of Odessa historians (1920–1941): Identification, composition, and features

V.V. Levchenko

Odessa National Maritime University, Odessa, 65029 Ukraine

E-mail: levchenkolav@yandex.ua

Received June 16, 2019

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DOI: 10.26907/2541-7738.2020.1.133-145

For citation: Levchenko V.V. Generations of Odessa historians (1920–1941): Identification, composition, and features. Uchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta. Seriya Gumanitarnye Nauki, 2020, vol. 162, no. 1, pp. 133–145. doi: 10.26907/2541-7738.2020.1.133-145. (In Russian)

Abstract

A model was introduced for studying the laws of formation, development, and dissemination of scientific knowledge among historians from the academic community of Odessa in 1920–1941 through the prism of the identity of their generations. The available published works provide no data on this problem. The term “generation” was defined. Chronological periodization of the generations of Odessa historians in this period was proposed with regard to the general development of history in the USSR. Two generations of Odessa historians, which were active in the period under study, were described. Their size and chronology of activity were considered. The direct influence exercised by them within a single and neighboring generations, including the succession of generations, was determined. The emergence of innovations, internal relations, as well as the place and role of historians during various political regimes and their attitude to power were covered. The ethics of relations between historians was studied. The personal characteristics of historians were revealed. The research is important for understanding the evolution of history as a science and major trends in its development, both at the local and global levels. The prosopographic analysis demonstrated that historians of the studied generations had the same conditions of everyday life – they faced complex socio-political and socio-economic situations that negatively influenced their activities.

Keywords: historians, Odessa, generations, descendants, academic community

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