Telegraph Department as a Structural Element of Public Administration in Russia in 1865—1881

The issue of the formation of one of the central communication management bodies of the Russian Empire — the Telegraph Department is considered. The relevance of the study is due to the need to study the features of the evolution of departments to improve the mechanism of public administration at the present stage. The author provides an overview of the views of historians on the establishment and liquidation of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs. Particular attention is paid to the activities of the Ministers of Posts and Telegraphs I.M. Tolstoy, L.S. Makov and Director of the Telegraph Department K.K. Luders. The novelty of the research is seen in the fact that the author reveals and clarifies previously unknown aspects of the functioning of the Telegraph Department. New data from archival sources are introduced into scientific circulation. The results of a comparative analysis of the number and financial position of officials of the Telegraph and Post Departments are presented. It has been proved that the maintenance of the personnel of the communication structures was developing towards equalization, expressed in a decrease in salaries in the Postal Department and an increase in the Telegraph departments. The author dwells on the consideration of the privileges of officials of the Telegraph Department and the position of women employees.