Nikolay Ivanovich Novikov (Russian:Никола́й Ива́нович Новико́в; 8 May [O.S. 27 April] 1744,Moscow Governorate – 12 August [O.S. 31 July] 1818 Moscow Governorate) was a Russian writer andphilanthropist most representative of theRussian Enlightenment. Frequently considered to be the first Russianjournalist, he aimed at advancing the cultural and educational level of the Russian public.
Novikov belonged to the first generation of Russians that benefited from the creation ofMoscow University in 1755. He took an active part in theLegislative Assembly of 1767, which sought to produce a new code of laws. Inspired by this kind of freethinking activity, he took over editing theMoscow Gazette and launched satiricaljournals, includingZhivopisets, patterned afterThe Tatler andThe Spectator.[1] His attacks on the existing social customs prompted jocund retorts fromCatherine the Great, who even set her own journal calledVsyakaya vsyachina to comment on Novikov's articles.
Together withJohann Georg Schwarz,Ivan Lopukhin, andSemyon Gamaleya he broughtmartinism androsicrucianism to Russia.[2] By the 1780s, Novikov rose to the highest positions in RussianFreemasonry,[1] which liberally funded his ambitious book-publishing ventures. Novikov's press produced a third part of contemporary Russian books and several newspapers. Novikov used his influence for various noble purposes, such as a large-scale project of promotingShakespeare to the Russian public.
When theFrench Revolution started, Catherine changed her attitude towards the likes of Novikov. His printing house was confiscated. Three years later, without a formal trial, he was incarcerated in theShlisselburg Fortress for 15 years. Much of his printed material was pulped, including 1,000 copies ofEdward Young'sThe Last Day (1713).Emperor Paul set Novikov free, but the latter was too scared and broken-hearted to resume his journalistic activities.
