попечительство

In this article the ancient and modern social work in Russia was analyzed. The author shows the history of social work in Saratov’s region since XVIII Century. Materials on the data of the rich actual sources including archives were prepared.

The article is based on the research which was carried out to study charity and patronage activity of Empress Maria Fyodorovna. Her active participation caused the appearance of far-reaching system of educational and social institutions. The analysis of the Empress correspondence and contemporaries’ evaluations are the foundation of the article.