N. A. Milyutin

The paper considers the history of the appearance of the Fundamental Beginnings of the zemstvo reforms of July2, 1862. Basing on the analysis of the archive and published sources it is proved that P. V. Valuev viewed zemstvo reform as part and parcel of the project of “Governmental Constitutionalism”.

N. A. Milyutin’s “Comments” on the article “Aristocracy and the interests of the nobility. Thoughts and remarks on the peasant issue” by V. P. Bezobrazov reveal an under-reported episode of government policy in the field of the press during the development of peasant and local selfgovernment reforms. Consideration of V. P.

The article analyses "The Notes" by M. A. Milyutina and her correspondence with I. S. Turgenev, published in "Russkaya Starina", and also archive documents from Milyutin's Fund (RGIA, F. 869. Op. 1. D. 1149). The studied materials provided new features to N. A. Milyutin's biography, showed the backstage struggle in the most complicated period of the reformer's activity (mid-1850s to early 1860s) and revealed the peculiarities of his character in his relations with his wife, the like-minded people and the conservative opposition. 

The paper regards the experiments of Russian Internal Affairs Ministry conducted alongside with drafting bills on local management of gubernia and uezd institutions supervised by N. A. Milyutrin. The author is a pioneer in introducing the archive materials which prove that General Governor Prince I. I. Vasil’chikov, being in charge of the reforms in Kiev Gubernia, acted in accordance with the directions of Internal Affairs Ministry.