Samara and Simbirsk nobility role in education promotion and support at the turn of XIX–XX centuries

The paper deals with the nobility charity of the Samara and Simbirsk provinces at the end of XIX – beginning of the XX centuries. The provincial nobles because of their privileged class status sacrificed their money to promote and support education among both the nobility and other classes. Donations were sent to the noble educational institutions such as school, cadet corps, universities, as well as to schools for the lower classes: teachers’ schools, peasant schools and colleges, vocational schools, training workshops. The paper analyzes the main forms of support for students – establishment and payment of nominal scholarships to students of high schools, universities, military schools, content of education both for the nobility and for students from other classes. Students of such institutions were often on full board basis at the expense of the nobility. In addition the nobles were initiators of charitable societies, which were engaged in material support of students as well as led boards of trustees at various educational institutions. The study of pre-revolutionary Russian education support experience helps us to find ways to develop and encourage students nowadays.