Chtcherbine (Le petit Chtcherbine)
Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-12-07 Diary Coverage: Book 00 (1884 preface)
Identity
"Le petit Chtcherbine" (young Chtcherbine) was a boy being enrolled in Dr. Hactius's famous boarding school in Geneva in 1870. He was the son of a widowed Russian woman who had remarried M. Bachmakoff, a former vice-governor of Poltava.
Family Background
Marie describes the situation in Book 00 (paragraph 00.46):
"Maman rencontra un M. Bachmakoff qui était venu placer le petit Chtcherbine dans un pensionnat célèbre de Genève, celui du docteur Hactius. Le petit garçon était le fils de sa bonne amie qui l'a épousé, sitôt son veuvage."
(Maman encountered a M. Bachmakoff who had come to place young Chtcherbine in a famous boarding school in Geneva, that of Dr. Hactius. The little boy was the son of his good friend who married him as soon as she was widowed.)
Key Details
Family Structure:
- Natural son of Madame Bachmakoff (née Chtcherbine or widow of a M. Chtcherbine)
- Stepson of M. Bachmakoff (former vice-governor of Poltava)
- Mother was a "good friend" of Bachmakoff before her husband's death
- Mother remarried Bachmakoff "as soon as she was widowed" (sitôt son veuvage)
Education:
- Being enrolled in Dr. Hactius's renowned Geneva boarding school in 1870
- Part of the Russian practice of sending sons to prestigious European schools
- Young enough to be called "le petit" (the little one)
Historical Context
Russian Stepfamilies and Education
In 19th-century Russian noble society:
- Widows often remarried within their social circle
- Stepfathers took responsibility for educating stepsons
- Swiss boarding schools were preferred for quality education
- Boys were sent to European schools to gain Western polish
The Name Chtcherbine
The name suggests Russian noble or gentry origins. The practice of keeping the biological father's surname was common for children when mothers remarried.
Geneva as Educational Center
In 1870, Geneva hosted several prestigious boarding schools (pensionnats) that served:
- Russian noble families
- International expatriates
- Families displaced by the Franco-Prussian War
- Children of officials serving abroad
Significance
Young Chtcherbine's enrollment demonstrates:
- The Russian custom of European education for boys
- Geneva's reputation for quality boarding schools
- The responsibilities stepfathers assumed for their wives' children
- The networks of Russian families across Europe
Related Entries
- #Bachmakoff - His stepfather, former vice-governor of Poltava
- #Dr_Hactius - Director of the Geneva boarding school
- #Geneva - Location of the boarding school
- #Poltava - Where Bachmakoff had served and likely knew the family
%%2025-12-07T16:55:00 RSR: Created entry based on Book 00, paragraph 00.46. Young Chtcherbine represents the Russian practice of sending sons to prestigious European schools.%%