The History of Karaite Community of the Crimea in Personals: Scientist, Horticulturist and Philanthropist A. I. Pastak
Nowadays, within the frames of active development of this trend in historic research as “new biographic” or “personal” history special attention of historians and local studies scientists is paid to biographies of scholars in the fields of education, science, culture, philanthropists and patrons whose names were undeservedly forgotten. Among outstanding representatives of communities in Taurida province of the second half of the 19 th - the beginning of the 20 th centuries we should name Abram Ilyich Pastak (1861-1932), whose contribution into the development of Crimean horticulture, science and public education has not still been estimated at his worth. No attempts to reconstruct his biography scientifically have been undertaken until recently. During the work over the publication, materials collected in the cases of funds of the State Archive in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, different subject reference books, collection on statistics and materials from periodicals of that period were used. Besides, A. I. Pastak’s descendants put rare books, documents and photographs from their family archive at our disposal, which was really invaluable help in preparing this article. А. I. Pastak contributed substantially into the development of different directions of sciences and public education. He played an important role in establishment of Crimean horticulture; was present at the head of creating scientific-educational and technical base to prepare gardeners and pomologists. Besides, A. I. Pastak was one of the most active participants of educational movement rendering comprehensive assistance to educational establishments and students. Numerous pedagogical ideas put forward by the outstanding gardener did not lose their topicality nowadays. Undoubtedly, participation of A. I. Pastak in charitable activities in Crimea and other places deserves the highest appraisal.