Zachary Korneev The first civil governor of Minsk and the Minsk province Date of Birth: 01.01.1748 Country: Dive

1. Assistant to the Voyevoda of Smolensk
2. Economic Director and Vice-Governor
3. First Civilian Governor of Minsk
4. Urban Planning and Governance
5. Senate and State Council
6. Education and Religious Views
7. Literary Contributions

Assistant to the Voyevoda of Smolensk

Zakhar Yakovlevich Korneev (1753-1823), also known as Karneev, enlisted in the military in 1775. A prominent Freemason, he was initially dispatched to persuade Nekrasov Cossacks to return to Russian allegiance.

Economic Director and Vice-Governor

In 1782, Korneev became the Director of Economy in the Kursk Viceroyalty. Three years later, he was appointed Vice-Governor of Orel, where he served as Master of the Masonic lodge founded by Ivan Lopukhin.

First Civilian Governor of Minsk

Following the Second Partition of Poland in 1793, Minsk and the surrounding region were annexed by the Russian Empire. Korneev was appointed as the first civilian Governor of Minsk and Minsk Governorate in 1796.

Urban Planning and Governance

Under Korneev's leadership, the city of Minsk underwent significant transformation. In 1805, he founded the Governor's Garden, later renamed the City Garden (present-day Maxim Gorky Park). He also initiated the creation of another park, which became known as Alexandrovsky Garden in 1870.

Additionally, Korneev initiated the reorganization of Minsk's main thoroughfare, which had been part of the Moscow-Vienna postal route. The street was renamed "Zakharievskaya" in his honor. Today, it is known as Independence Avenue, Minsk's central and most prominent boulevard.

Senate and State Council

In 1808, Korneev was appointed to the Senate. Two years later, he became a member of the State Council.

Education and Religious Views

In 1815, Prince Alexander Golitsyn, a close associate of Korneev, appointed him Vice-President of the Russian Bible Society. Golitsyn also named him the Trustee of the Kharkov Educational District, a position Korneev held until 1822.

Initially, Korneev shared the liberal views common among Freemasons, advocating for religious freedom for Uniates while serving as Governor of Minsk. However, he later abandoned these views, embracing intolerance.

Literary Contributions

Korneev is attributed with writing several works published under the initials "K. Z." (Korneev Zakhar).