Academy of Sciences: Definitive Literary History

Among the three major types of literary histories in Russia, the Academy history traditionally occupies a special place as a “definitive” voice and a pattern for the two other types. In the post-Soviet years, however, this privileged position has been questioned. The current debate over literary historiography has unquestionably affected the Academy’s plans for a new Academy literary history. In order to better understand the situation, we need to first briefly look at the history of the Academy and at Academy scholarship in Russia.