Mikhail Yakovlev: biography of one of Pushkin's best friends

Mikhail Lukyanovich Yakovlev is a little-known Russian statesman, composer and singer, who lived in the first half of the 19th century. His popularity among historians, he acquired, largely due to his friendship with the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. However, even without it, Mikhail Yakovlev's biography contains rather curious facts.

Childhood and adolescence

Mikhail Yakovlev was born September 19, 1798 in the family of the capital's state councilor. He spent most of his childhood at the Moscow Noble University Boarding School. Here he learned not only good manners and etiquette, but also brought up a strong character and independence.

In 1811, Mikhail Yakovlev entered the Royal Lyceum. Here he quickly earned the respect of fellow students and teachers. In his memoirs, the director of the Lyceum, Vasily Malinovsky, will write the following lines: "Yakovlev is a student of 14 years. He has very enviable talents, studies diligently, good-natured, obedient and quick-witted. Despite the fact that he sometimes sees poor education, his kindness and caution, he more than compensates for this shortcoming. In addition, the guy has a tendency to music. "

Friendship with the great poet

Being in the Moscow Lyceum, Mikhail Yakovlev became addicted to literature. In order to satisfy his thirst for beauty, he enrolled in a local literary circle. It was here that the future civil servant got acquainted with Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.

Naturally, for Mikhail Lukyanov such a meeting could not pass without a trace. After all, anyone who has been lucky to talk to a great poet, was irascible with an irresistible desire to create. Then Yakovleva became the delight of music. He was a good composer and quite often composed new romances, which he then sang with pleasure to his friends.

Thanks to his warm character, he quickly arranged not only for Pushkin, but also for all his surroundings. Subsequently, many literary evenings began to take place at his house, and Mikhail Yakovlev himself received the nickname "lyceum elder".

Career and achievements

After graduation, in 1817 Lukyanov was given the place of a petty official in the Sixth Department of the Government Senate. Here he was overseen by the great senator of the Russian Empire - Dmitry Borisovich Mertvago. Under his leadership, he showed himself as a fairly responsible employee, thanks to which in 1820 he received the post of chief of staff in the department of taxes.

In the winter of 1827 Mikhail Lukyanov was sent to St. Petersburg. Here he had a special task - to help MM Speransky to compile a new set of laws. Work was necessary in the imperial office, which was a good "bonus" in his biography. In particular, this allowed him to become director of the second department of the imperial printing house in 1832. Using his power, Mikhail Yakovlev was able to publish here the first edition of Pushkin's "History of the Pugachev Riot."

In 1843 he received the Order of Stanislav I degree. It should be noted that few Russian statesmen in those years were awarded such a prestigious award. As for Yakovlev, he earned it thanks to his contribution to the publication of a new set of laws at the end of 1942. After receiving the order, the official was promoted to a member of the council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Here he worked until 1848, after which he resigned from this post at his own request.

last years of life

The reputation of Mikhail Yakovlev was impeccable. Therefore it is not surprising that many times he was offered to return to the civil service. However, keen on his hobby, he refused for a long time. And only in 1862 Yakovlev decided to return to work again - this time a consultant to the Ministry of Justice.

With this position, the duties of inspecting the work of the Senate fell on him. He coped with his task quite skillfully, and therefore in 1963, by a special decree of the emperor, Mikhail Yakovlev was appointed to the post of secret adviser. In this post he held out until his death, which occurred on January 4, 1968.

Contribution to Russian culture

During his studies at the Lyceum, as well as some time after his graduation, Mikhail Yakovlev was actively engaged in composer activity. His romances and stylizations were very valuable for Russian culture. The most popular today is his romance "Winter Evening", the basis for which was the verse of Alexander Pushkin "The storm darkness heaven covers ...".