VIIwithin the framework of the autocracy. In this sense, he is one of the
major figures in the domestic history of 19th century Russia.
In view of the significance of his ideas and career, it is surprising
that Speransky has been a relatively neglected (and therefore often
misunderstood) figure in Russian historiography. True enough, his
name is always mentioned in the histories of the period, even the most
general ones. But he is described only as the author of an allegedly
liberal constitutional plan and as the codifier of Russian law. While
the latter achievement is treated as the special concern of legal
scholars, the former is pronounced an unfortunate failure, illustrating
once more the basic inability of the autocracy to reform itself. But the
bulk of Speransky's work and thought remains unknown to the general
historian. By undertaking a full scale biography, the present writer
hopes to give a fuller and more balanced picture, both of Speransky
and of the imperial administration.
The history of Speransky's bibliography well reflects the evolution
of the political climate in Russia. Soon after Speransky's death in 1839
there appeared several articles which contained valuable information.
But being in the nature of eulogies or of reminiscences by his
colleagues, they have to be approached very critically and cannot be
considered historical studies in the true sense. The only lattempt at a
comprehensive biography appeared in two volumes in 1861. Though
written by an official of unblemished loyalty, Baron Modest A. Korf,
it is quite incomplete, as the author was not allowed to discuss
Speransky's plans of reform and describe fully his £all from favor and
exile in 1812. The main value of Baron Korl's compilation lies in the
information it gives about Speransky's family life (Korl was in a
position to interview surviving friends and associates) and the details
of his official assignments and honors ..
Reflecting perhaps the disillusionment of Russian society with the
"Great Reforms" of the 1860s, there was little interest in Speransky
in the 1870s and 1880s. The re-awakening of interest in the 1890s and
1900s brought forth a number of valuable studies (numerous articles
and a few books) dealing with various phases of Speransky's career.
But however informative an4 insightful, these studies were very
limited in scope and none ever attempted a full assessment of
Speransky's ideas and work. More important than these articles for an
understanding of his career were the publications of numerous sources
from the first half of the 19th century, particularly the papers of the
leading administrative institutions (Council of State, Committee of
Ministers, the Senate, etc.). At the same time a large body of memoir