Creative Laboratory of the Historian: I.E. Zabelin as a Bibliophile (based on the Archival Materials)

The outstanding Russian historian I.E.Zabelin (1825Zabelin ( -1908) ) owes his achievements to self-education, which he received thanks to books.The future historian loved books since childhood, and with the last money he manages to collect a small library of books.The article introduces a new historical source into scientific circulation -the handwritten catalogues of his book collection compiled by I.E.Zabelin, which are stored in the archive of the scientist.The authors consider the role of the book in the scientific search for a scientist.As a humble employee of the Armory, I.E.Zabelin could not use the commercial libraries of Moscow, there were no large public book collections in Moscow.I.E.Zabelin bought used books and magazines in the markets, and when funds allowed, from the leading booksellers of the capital and would carefully record the funds spent.The examination of the catalogues of I.E.Zabelin's book collection shows not only its use for scientific purposes, but also reveals his interest in social and philosophical problems, spiritual search.The study allows us to dispel the historiographical myths that have developed in science, in particular, that I.E.Zabelin did not understand the importance of learning foreign languages and was a mediocre archaeologist.The catalog of the scientist's library contains hundreds of volumes on archaeology and hundreds of titles in foreign languages.I.E.Zabelin used an advanced information search system for that time, developing his principles of organizing a card catalog along with traditional book catalogs, while he conducted a thematic grouping of information.As the owner of a valuable collection of books and manuscripts, D.I. Zabelin shared them with colleagues, kept a detailed record of the literature issued.Studying the catalogues of I.E.Zabelin's book collection expands the understanding of him as a scientist and a person.