A.O. Smirnova-Rosset's Activity in Structure of Institute of Governorship in 1845–1851

The image of Smirnova-Rosset as a muse of the poets and writers was investigated in detail by researchers from different disciplines – historians, philologists, literary and art critics – however, the other part of the identity of this remarkable woman until today remains unexplored. This paper will make an attempt to reveal the image of A.O. Smirnova-Rosset as a state and public figure, wife of the governor of the Kaluga province N.M. Smirnov – the woman-governor, in fact. Relevance of work is provided with growth of interest in a role of the woman in the history, development of gender history. This study will be guided by the following questions: Why the A.O. Rosset's choice fell on N.M. Smirnov? How is the self-representation of the author as female memoirist of «new generation» shown in her memoirs? How did Smirnova-Rosset influence the public life in Kaluga during the period of the governorship of her husband in 1845-1851? Study based on A.O. Smirnova-Rosset's memoires, memoires of contemporaries, correspondence with N.V. Gogol and newspaper «Kaluzhskiye Gubernskiye Vedomosti» (the official and non-official part).