Inna M. The correspondence of E. Chykalenko as historical source

The dissertation for the first time in complex way researches the correspondence of E. Chykalenko, the famous public figure, editor, publicist, patron of literature and memorialist. Chykalenko's correspondence consists of more than two thousand letters, found out in the state archives and manuscript departments of scientifics libraries. It is a varied informational source. The sources are systematized according to the pointed out criteria. On the way of the historical source studies we made a subject differentiation. By the use of problem-chronological principle the dominating subjects and themes were named, among them: the events of social, cultural and political life of the end of XIX ? beginning of XX century, their interpretation by the contemporaries; the problems, connected with edition of "Gromadska dumka", "Rada" and an attitude of E. Chykalenko to them; the problems of other periodical and books, publicistic and journalistic activities of correspondents; the writing of memoirs and their edition in exile; literary critical subjects in correspondence with writers. All these subjects are analysed in according chapters; the indices themes of representation in this prolonged and quantitavely great correspondence are reflected in the chapter III and in appendix. Biographical information about the addresses and correspondents of E. Chykalenko is systematized in appendix. The information about the institutions where these letters are kept, about their quantity, period of correspondence and collection in which these letters were published also is reflected in appendix. Chykalenko's correspondence is defined as complicated and valuable historical source for comprehensive study of the important historical subjects.