1872 in Russia

Incumbents

• Monarch – Alexander II

Events

• 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.
• Publication of Grazhdanin: The first issue of the weekly conservative magazine Grazhdanin 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, 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 – A notable Russian military officer, diplomat, and one of the key figures in the lead-up to the Russo-Japanese War.
• Vladimir Arsenyev – 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
• Fyodor Sologub – A prominent Russian writer, poet, and playwright, best known for his symbolist novel "The Petty Demon."
• Anna Golubkina – One of Russia's most significant sculptors, associated with the Russian Symbolist movement.

Deaths

• Dmitry Zhuravsky – 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 – 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 – A Russian revolutionary democrat, philosopher, and socialist, whose novel *What Is to Be Done?* became a revolutionary handbook for many Russian radicals, including Lenin.