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Abstract:

The article is dedicated to A.M. Gorky as a creator of the updated publishing house “Znanie.” The author relies on the documents of the archive of the publishing house, stored in A.M. Gorky Archive of IWL RAS. The article considers in detail the history of “Znanie” from the moment of its creation in St. Petersburg on May 15, 1898, and traces the history of Gorky’s relations with the publishing house as author, participant, editor. Since 1902, Gorky has actually been carrying out the ideological leadership of “Znanie,” in which, in addition to his own works, the works of the brightest modern realist writers begin to be published. Gorky has implemented a unique innovative approach not only to the publishing concept of “Znanie,” but also to the basic methods of Russian book publishing. The popularity and demand for literary collections published by “Znanie” since 1904 was unusually high. In 1905, Gorky initiated the beginning of books publication in the “Deshevaia biblioteka” by “Znanie,” which included 156 works by 13 writers who wrote for this publishing house; its publication had serious cultural and socio-pedagogical significance. Gorky, the editor of “Znanie,” began a new period in the history of the publishing house. In cooperation with K.P. Pyatnitsky, his permanent managing director, Gorky completely changed the concept of the publishing house. The organizers set themselves the task of doing everything possible to promote the enlightenment of the people in the spirit of the advanced ideas of their time. Book publishing was an effective manifestation of Gorky’s broad public activity. Gorky’s contribution to the publishing success of “Znanie,” his great creative work is invaluable. The activity of the publishing house “Znanie” has become a continuation of the best traditions of Russian book publishing.