RUDN Journal of Russian History (Dec 2015)
FRENCHMAN IN RUSSIAN SERVICE: COUNT CHOISEUL-GOUFFIER IN RUSSIA
Abstract
The article related to the study of the scientific problem "dialogue of cultures and civilizations" analyses the process of integration of foreigners in different culture and their adaptation to a different cultural area. The object of the research is the activity of count Choiseul-Gouffier (Marie-Gabriel-Florent-Auguste Choiseul-Gouffier, 1752-1817) as a typical representative of the French monarchist elite, who found temporary refuge in Russia after the French Revolution. The article explains the reasons which caused the choice of Russia as the place of immigration, as well as the degree of adaptation to the Russian reality. The research is based on the information from the memoirs of the count’s contemporaries. The French publication of documentation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was used as an additional source. For 10 years in the Russian Empire the count, being a connoisseur of art and history, highly erudite man, brought his knowledge and organizational skills into the development of the library service of Russia and art education at the Academy of Fine Arts. However, he did not perceive Russia as a second homeland, and in 1802 he returned to France, where his personality was much more highly appreciated.
