ACTIVITIES OF GRAND DUKE MIKHAIL ALEKSANDROVICH ROMANOV IN THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIO-POLITICAL SPHERES IN OREL PROVINCE

The purpose of the article is to analyze the activities of Grand Duke Mikhail Aleksandrovich Romanov and its impact on the economic and socio-political spheres in Orel province at the beginning of the twentieth century. Mikhail Alexandrovich showed a great interest in the development of Orel province. He visited various enterprises, organized exhibitions and seminars aimed at improving the agricultural and industrial sphere. Under his leadership, a number of largescale projects were carried out in the province; new factories were created, irrigation and drainage systems were fixed, roads and railway connections were improved. At that time, some attempts were taken to modernize the educational system and healthcare. Mikhail Alexandrovich had progressive views and wanted to modernize the province. He has implemented a number of measures aimed at improving the living standards and welfare of the population. Such historical research methods as ideographic (narrative) and retrospective method are used; it allows to recreate the main events of the period of one of the Romanovs presences in Orel region, to characterize his individual personal qualities. Special attention is paid to the grouping and systematization of the facts of economic, charitable and social activities of Mikhail Alexandrovich Romanov in Orel province. On the archival materials basis, data on the Grand Duke’s support of the Brasov estate peasants, his work with appeals and petitions, charitable activity are studied.