Nikolay Agababov An Armenian who moved to Russia during the reign of Emperor Alexander I Date of Birth: 01.01.1754 Country: Dive

1. Nikolai Ivanovich Agababov
2. Early Life and Migration to Russia
3. Establishment of the Armenian-Russian Agababov School
4. Administration of the School
5. Aims and Objectives of the School
6. Curriculum and Facilities
7. Expansion and Recognition
8. Enrollment and Demographics

Nikolai Ivanovich Agababov

Nikolai Ivanovich Agababov, an Armenian, migrated to Russia during the reign of Emperor Alexander I. He established the Armenian-Russian Agababov School in Astrakhan, which was named after him.

Early Life and Migration to Russia

Born in Isfahan, Persia, Agababov moved to Moscow and adopted Russian citizenship.

Establishment of the Armenian-Russian Agababov School

In 1804, Agababov donated 50,000 rubles and sought imperial permission to establish the Armenian-Russian school. Salaries for teachers were to be paid from the revenue generated by a house he purchased and donated in Astrakhan.

Administration of the School

Upon Agababov's death, his eldest son, Ivan, became the school's guardian. Archbishop Anthony, chosen by the Armenian Patriarch, served as the school's first rector.

Aims and Objectives of the School

The establishment of the school in 1810 was a significant sociopolitical event in the Astrakhan region. Agababov aimed to provide education to impoverished Armenians, with a view to "benefitting the fatherland by educating Armenian children in various state roles, including the clergy... such education could exert a strong influence on Asia, with political implications."

Curriculum and Facilities

The two-class school offered classes in reading and writing in Russian and Armenian, grammar in Armenian and Russian, general history and geography, logic and rhetoric in Armenian, and drawing. The school's boarding house, fully funded by Agababov, housed 12 orphans from underprivileged Armenian families. A school doctor provided free medical care to students.

Expansion and Recognition

From 1838, the Agababov School was incorporated into the general system of educational institutions as a district school under the decree of 1828. A third class was added to the school. A library was established, which contained 290 books and other educational materials, including globes, atlases, and textbooks.

Enrollment and Demographics

Until 1865, only Armenian-Gregorian students were admitted to the Agababov School. From 1866 to 1872, Orthodox students were enrolled, and from 1873 to 1894, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Armenian-Gregorians attended the school. Between 1835 and 1905, a total of 1,940 students were enrolled, with 1,623 withdrawing before completing the course.