Raznochintsy

Categories / Population/Social Classes
RAZNOCHINTSY, a social-professional group making up part of the population of St. Petersburg in the 19th century. Until 1835, citizens who were Raznochintsy (intellectuals not bearing a noble title) were not registered as being of any particular class: they were individuals who did intellectual work, retired soldiers, theatre attendants, coachmen, settlers, and libertines. From 1836 Raznochintsy were defined as those who had received an education and who had started intellectual work (teachers, tutors, doctors), serving for merchants and in factory offices, as well as individuals of free professions (men of letters, journalists, artists, musicians). In 1869 there were approximately 18,000 Raznochintsy living in St. Petersburg (2.7 % of the population). In the mid-19th century, the term Raznochintsy came to mean an individual engaged in activities not characteristic for their class, and critical of the present order (in part, Raznochintsy were connected with students). Memory of the Raznochintsy is preserved in the name of Bolshaya Raznochinnaya and Malaya Raznochinnaya streets (on the Petrograd Side).

A. Y. Chistyakov. Bolshaya Raznochinnaya St./Saint Petersburg, city
Malaya Raznochinnaya St./Saint Petersburg, city
Students