Карнеев Георгий

Karneev Georgy (Egor Vasilyevich) came from a noble family in the Kharkov province, born in 1773. He began his studies in the house of his parent, a pious man of strict morality, and continued to study at the Kharkov Collegium, from where he entered the local noble school, where he remained until he was 14 years old. He received further education under the influence of his uncle Zakhar Yakovlevich in Moscow; entered the university, enrolling at the same time (1789), according to the then custom, as a sergeant in the Semenovsky, Life Guards, regiment. During his stay at Moscow University, in addition to his uncle, Prof. Chebotarev is a deeply religious person. He was the first to sow in young Karneev the religious trend that distinguished him all his life. As a student, Karneev published the spiritual and moral essay “The Adventures of Boniquest, son of Tselestinov, inhabitant of the happy country of Intra” (Moscow 1800), in which he proves that “true happiness lies in the inside of a person who has been tested in patience and illuminated by the light from above.” After completing his education, Karneev entered military service with the rank of captain. Military service did not last long. In 1800 he was appointed censor to the Vilna censorship. Then Karneev held various positions in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Finance, and Public Education. In 1822 he was appointed trustee of the Kharkov educational district, in 1824 - manager of the department of mining and salt affairs, and the mountain cadet corps. 1825 dismissed from the post of trustee, appointed member of the main administration of schools; in 1837 he was appointed senator. The service for the mining department constitutes the most brilliant era of Karneev’s activity and is closely connected with various improvements in this area: staffing levels for the Ural state-owned factories were drawn up, and the publication of the “Mining Journal” began. In the cadet corps, Karneev took care of raising the scientific level; established a mineralogical cabinet and enriched the museum with collections. Everywhere Karneev showed tireless activity, which he did not change during his more than fifty years of active service. Karneev devoted the short time remaining from his service to literary works, most of which were of a spiritual and moral nature. A zealous Christian, he spent his entire life reading and studying the church fathers and the works of famous spiritual writers. Karneev owns a translation of Du Toit’s “Divine Philosophy”, in 6 parts, performed at the invitation of Prince A.N. Golitsyn, former Minister of Spiritual Affairs and Public Education. The translation was completed in 1819. In this work, Karneev proves that “the light of faith is the reliable leader of the Christian philosopher, the correct indicator of the path to God,” “the light of reason is the unfaithful leader of the worldly philosopher,” and “is not the ability to contemplate pure truths”... In addition, Karneev translated Montesquieu’s “The Spirit of the Laws” (3 parts, 1839; second ed. 1862); op. Roselli de Lorgues, Le Christ devant le ciècle (placed in The Lighthouse, 1845); translated the Psalter into Russian verse (1846); translated the works of Tertullian (1847, second edition 1849–1850); creations of Lactantius (1847). The translation of the last two parts of Tertullian and the book “Character” by La Bruere remained in manuscript. Yegor Vasilyevich did not abandon his scientific works until his death. Deprived of the ability to write by pain in his hand, he dictated to his eldest daughter a translation of Origen's work against Celsus three days before his death. He died on January 5, 1849 (see St. Petersburg Gazette, 1849, No. 198–199).