N.M. Karamzin and the Readership: the Case of the “Moskovsky Journal”

The article is devoted to the analysis of interaction of the “Moskovsky Journal” (1791—1792), the first independent publishing project of N.M. Karamzin, with the readership. In the second year of publication, the magazine increased the number of subscribers by 12,5% that was the unique event in the history of Russian periodicals of the 18th century. Readership success was governed by the competent editorial strategy of N.M. Karamzin to promote the journal using both traditional and innovative approaches to attracting readers. On the basis of published lists of subscribers there are analyzed the social composition and geography of the readers. The study of the personal staff of the subscribers of the “Moskovsky Journal” shows that among them were a considerable number of readers related to Freemasonry and literary work. This fact allows us to raise the question on the adjustment of insight of the relationship between N.M. Karamzin and masons during that period. In any case, it is obvious that in realization of the publishing project N.M. Karamzin relied on the readership generated by the activities of N.I. Novikov in the preceding decade.

N.M. Karamzin, Moskovsky Jounral, Subscription, Readers, Readership, Freemasonry

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