Private Libraries of Russia

Private book collections from the 18th and 19th centuries are an integral part of Russian and global culture. Each of these libraries is a unique testament not only to the taste of their owners, but also to a particular historical period, and they serve as a crucial repository of the generations' spiritual heritage.

At present, it is particularly important to return to cultural values from the past and appreciate the centuries-long history of our nation. Personal libraries, as a part of Russian culture, play a significant role in this process.

Collecting books and establishing personal libraries required a high level of education, financial resources, and freedom to travel within the country and abroad. Some of the first collectors included members of the Romanov family, clergy, and Russian nobility who owned small libraries with dozens or hundreds of volumes.

The beginning of the 18th century saw the emergence of active domestic private book collecting, which adopted some pan-European characteristics under the influence of the ideas of the Enlightenment era in France. Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau, and other enlightened philosophers based libraries during this time on works. Antiquities, manuscripts, and periodicals were also purchased.

In the 19th century, the social composition of private library owners expanded significantly. Representatives of various classes began to create personal libraries, including merchants, burghers, and intellectuals in addition to aristocrats. Many of these private collections later became the foundation of the collections in the largest libraries of Russia.