1872 in Russia

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Decades:	1850s 1860s 1870s 1880s 1890s
See also:	History of Russia Timeline of Russian history List of years in Russia

Events from the year 1872 in Russia .

Incumbents

• Monarch – Alexander II ^[1]

Events

1872 was a year of notable developments in the Russian Empire, with significant cultural, educational, and legal milestones.

• Establishment of the A.S. Popov Central Museum of Communications: This museum, dedicated to the history of communication and named after the inventor Alexander Popov, was established in St. Petersburg. ^[2]
• Publication of Grazhdanin: The first issue of the weekly conservative magazine Grazhdanin ("The Citizen") was published in 1872. It was founded by Prince Vladimir Meshchersky and became known for its monarchist and Orthodox Christian stance.
• Formation of the Special Tribunal of the Ruling Senate: This tribunal was established to address high-profile political cases, particularly those involving revolutionary activities against the state. It played a crucial role in the judicial proceedings of the time.
• Foundation of Kuopion Lyseon lukio: This was a year of significant educational development, with the founding of Kuopion Lyseon lukio in Finland, which was part of the Russian Empire at the time. It became one of the leading educational institutions in the region.
• Incorporation of Maaninka: Maaninka, another Finnish locality under Russian rule, was formally incorporated as a municipality. This period marked important administrative changes in the Grand Duchy of Finland, which was an autonomous part of the Russian Empire.
• Establishment of Moscow State Pedagogical University: In 1872, the university was established as a leading institution for teacher training in Moscow. It would later become one of Russia's most prestigious universities, particularly in the field of education.
• First publication of Mshak: Mshak was a popular Armenian-language periodical published in Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia), which was part of the Russian Empire. The magazine focused on social, cultural, and political issues and played a significant role in the Armenian national awakening.

Births

• Alexander Mikhailovich Bezobrazov (January 31, 1872 – June 5, 1931) – A notable Russian military officer, diplomat, and one of the key figures in the lead-up to the Russo-Japanese War.
• Vladimir Arsenyev (August 29, 1872 – September 4, 1930) – An acclaimed Russian explorer, ethnographer, and author, known for his expeditions in the Russian Far East and his detailed descriptions of the indigenous peoples of Siberia.
• Maria Skorsiuk, ballet dancer (died 1901) ^[3]
• Fyodor Sologub (March 1, 1872 – December 5, 1927) – A prominent Russian writer, poet, and playwright, best known for his symbolist novel "The Petty Demon."
• Anna Golubkina (January 16, 1872 – September 7, 1927) – One of Russia's most significant sculptors, associated with the Russian Symbolist movement.

Deaths

The year also saw the passing of several prominent figures.

• Dmitry Zhuravsky (March 20, 1821 – November 22, 1872) – A pioneering Russian engineer, known for his contributions to the construction of Russia’s railway network, including the Moscow to St. Petersburg line.
• Sergey Nechaev (October 2, 1847 – December 3, 1872) – A Russian revolutionary, theorist, and nihilist, best known for his radical pamphlet *Catechism of a Revolutionary*, which advocated the use of violence and terror in the fight against the autocracy.
• Nikolay Chernyshevsky (July 12, 1828 – October 29, 1872) – A Russian revolutionary democrat, philosopher, and socialist, whose novel *What Is to Be Done?* became a revolutionary handbook for many Russian radicals, including Lenin.

References

1. Dunham, Michael (2017). The Man Who Sold Alaska: Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Todd Communications. p. 2. ISBN   978-1-57833-659-3 . Retrieved 2025-11-17.
2. Abstracts of Soviet and East European Emigré Periodical Literature. Abstracts of Soviet and East European Emigré Periodical Literature. 1987. p. 30. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
3. Koppers, Peter (3 December 2021). "Maria Skorsiuk". London: The Marius Petipa Society. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2025.

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