E. Obolenski (1796-1865)

Eugeni Obolenski, a prince, a son of Governer of Tula, lieutenant of the Life Guard, a virtual leader and a chief of the headquarters of the Decembrists rebellion, arrived in Yalutorovsk in 1843 after a long period of penalty servitude and settlement in Turinsk. Being a well-educated and energetic person Obolenski was actively involved in enlightening activities carried out by the Decembrists. He taught in the schools organized by Yakushkin, and later was appointed a supervisor. In 1845 Obolenski married a peasant girl Varvara Baranova. The attitude towards this marriage among the Decembrists was contradictory. Many thought this misalliance not acceptable. Obolenski spent a lot of effort on education of his wife, and soon discrepancies of origin became less noticeable. In 1856 after the general amnesty Obolenski and his family went to Kaluga. In 1861 Obolenski together with the Decembrist P. Svistunov participated in elaboration of the peasants reform in the Kaluga region. He was acquainted with husbandry not by hearsay, since in Yalutorovsk he managed a small farm, and often consulted local farmers.