Issues of Statistical Science in Works of O. O. Rusov: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary since His Death

• Main Authors: Е. V. Chekotovskyi, M. Yu. Potapova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the National Academy of Statistics, Accounting and Audit (NASAA), the National Academy for Public Administration (NAPA) under the President of Ukraine 2015-09-01
• Series: Статистика України
• Subjects: o. rusov, zemstvo statistics, statistical department, statistical and economic description, statistical studies at zemstvo level.
• Online Access: https://su-journal.com.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/39

The contribution of O. O. Rusov, a prominent Ukrainian statistician of zemstvo (elective district council in pre-revolutionary Russia), in statistical science and practice is studied. Statistics of zemstvo, established in Russia in the second half of 19 century, made large contribution in theory and practice of organization and performance of statistical surveys and elaboration of methods for statistical data processing. To perform their functions, zemstvo needed statistical information for evaluation of real estate like lands, houses, trade and factory buildings, for taxation purposes. In view of this, institutions of zemstvo, once established, immediately launched statistical surveys focused on taxation purposes of the zemstvo, evaluation of land and property. Statistics of zemstvo, therefore, had the evaluative function. Olexandr Olexandrovyc.h Rusov (1847-1915), with his outstanding role in development of statistical studies at zemstvo level, was rightfully recognized as “father of Ukrainian zemstvo statistics”. Over longer than 30 years of work in the zemstvo statistics field, he made extremely important contribution in its development. O. Rusov was born in the family of a military medic in the city of Kyiv. After graduation of Kyiv University, he was working as a teacher of Latin, Greek and Russian languages, was engaged in ethnography, folklore studies and printing & publishing till 1874. He began working in statistics field as a statistician of zemstvo at the statistical department of zemstvo administration in Chernihiv huberniya (province), established in 1876. The work of the department at first was aimed at elaboration of programs for survey of various economic sectors in Chernihiv province (agriculture, industry, trade etc.). In 1876, O. Rusov, jointly with the colleagues from the statistical department, conducted a statistical study of villages and volost (rural areas incorporating several villages) of Chernihiv po- vit. (district ) on the basis of elaborated programs. In 1879, the zemstvo administration of the Nizhyn povit. (Chernihiv province) asked him to make a statistical and economic description of the povit. and publish it. The period from the middle of 1882 till the middle of 1889 O. Rusov spent in Kherson province, taking active part in its statistical study. O. Rusov, who had rich practical experiences of statistical studies at zemstvo level, gave invaluable professional advices to statisticians from Kherson province. It should be remembered that O. Rusov was regularly delivering scientific reports at statistical congresses, meeting etc. devoted to elaboration and improvement of programs for statistical studies at zemstvo level. According to O. Rusov, establishment, of democratic principles in statistical services is a foremost condition for their effective work. Thanks to O. Rusov’s effort, regular statistical studies were established in Kherson province. Beginning with 1908 until his death in 1915, O. Rusov was working as a lecturer in statistics in Kyiv Institute of Commerce (now Kyiv Vadym Hetman National Economic University). In 1909, he organized a statistical cabinet and handed over his own library to it. He was delivering lectures and practical lessons in disciplines such as theory of statistics, demographic statistics, history of statistics, railway statistics, insurance statistics, statistics of zemstvo economy, statistics at zemstvo level etc. His works helped increase the quality of teaching of statistical disciplines and had large scientific importance, which is proved by references (citations) to his works by great numbers of researchers in statistics.