Lenin Prize. A short guide to the Stalin Prize

On December 20, 1939, a government decree establishing the Stalin Prize was published on the front pages of leading Soviet newspapers. According to this document, awards and scholarships were to be awarded for special achievements in the following fields of science: technical, physical and mathematical, biological, medical, agricultural, economic, legal, historical and philological and philosophy. In addition, artists who made an outstanding contribution to the development of musical culture, architecture, sculpture, architecture, cinematography and theater could become laureates.

Amounts of awards and number of laureates

The size of the Stalin Prize, awarded between 1940 and 1953, changed periodically, but at the time of its establishment it was 100 thousand rubles. This was a very significant amount, considering that in the national economy as a whole, the average salary in that period was 339 rubles. Every year, 16 people recognized as the most worthy figures in the above-mentioned fields of science and art became laureates of the Stalin Prize. Their number has not changed over the entire 13 years.

In addition, a government decree of December 20, 1939 provided for the awarding of Stalin Prizes to the authors of the most significant technical inventions. In this nomination, every year 10 people received First Prizes, amounting to 100 thousand rubles each, 20 inventors were awarded Second Prizes of 50 thousand and 30 ─ Third Prizes of 25 thousand rubles.

A month and a half after the publication of this document, another resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR was released, which established, in addition to the above-mentioned prizes, four additional ones in the field of literature ─ one each for prose writers, poets, playwrights and literary critics.

Procedure for reviewing works

The same government documents clearly regulated the procedure for considering works in various fields of science, technology, as well as military knowledge, submitted for the Stalin Prize. According to the established procedure, detailed descriptions works with the attachment of relevant drawings and other technical documentation had to be submitted for consideration to the Committee created under the Council of People's Commissars.

The deadline for submitting documents was also specifically specified - no later than October 15 current year. Members of the Committee were given one and a half months to review the work and discuss it, after which, no later than December 1, they had to submit their conclusions to the Council of People's Commissars, where final decisions were made.

Distribution of award amounts between laureates

A specially developed provision stated that laureates of the Stalin Prize could be both individuals and entire teams of scientific societies, institutes, higher educational institutions, as well as various public organizations. In this regard, it is interesting to note that in cases where the team of authors consisted of two people, the amount of the prize was divided in half between them.

If it included three people, then the person designated as the project manager received half the money, and the rest was divided equally among his co-authors. When did the team consist of three people or more, a third of the amount was given to the manager, and the rest was divided among his subordinates. At the same time, all project participants received the title of laureate of the USSR Stalin Prize. They were awarded an honorary badge, the image of which is given in the article. It was supposed to be worn by right side chest next to the orders. The shape of this sign has been changed over time.

Submission deadline

It was also stipulated that only those inventions and scientific works, work on which was completed in the current year, were accepted for the prize. If their completion date fell within the period from October 15 to December 1, then they were subject to consideration the following year. However, in 1940, this order was slightly changed, and high awards were given to scientists and cultural figures, as well as to teams that created their works during the period spanning the last six years.

Project funding source

It is important to note this detail, absolutely incredible in modern times: having established a prize named after himself, Stalin (he was, of course, the initiator of this initiative) awarded the laureates not from the state budget, but from his own pocket. Yes Yes exactly. Occupying the posts of Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and Secretary of the Central Committee, for each of them he received monthly accruals (salaries) of 10 thousand rubles, which were almost completely transferred to the reward fund. In addition, his fees, which were due for the publication of numerous printed works both domestically and abroad.

First award winners

The first laureates of the USSR Stalin Prize included many scientists who made a significant contribution to the development of the country's national economy and its defense capability. Among them is the world-famous academician P. L. Kapitsa, who developed a device for obtaining super low temperatures(his portrait is given below) and Major General of Artillery P. A. Gelvikh, who became the author of a number of works in the field of ballistics and shooting theory. Their number included the famous surgeon N. N. Burdenko, as well as the author of works on the geology of Siberia, Academician V. A. Obruchev.

Wartime laureates

During the Great Patriotic War The Soviet scientific and creative intelligentsia not only did not cease its activities, but also became significantly more active, since its representatives understood that in the current situation their work was even more important than in peacetime. Accordingly, the number of laureates of the most honorable award did not decrease during this period.

In particular, the work of a group of scientists carried out under the leadership of Academician V.L. Komarov was highly praised. It was aimed at developing the national economy of the Urals, as well as developing a number of measures that contributed to the further growth of ferrous metallurgy, energy and the production of building materials. The number of laureates in those years included military surgeon, Stalin Prize laureate A.V. Vishnevsky, creator of the famous ointment that saved millions of patients from the development of purulent processes.

In those same years, the works of the famous Soviet chemist N. D. Zelinsky, who became the author of numerous developments related to the country's defense industry, became widespread. For his achievements he was awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree. Along with him, two more famous scientists worked during the war years - Professor M.V. Keldysh and his colleague, then a candidate technical sciences, and later academician ─ E. P. Grossman. They carried out comprehensive research who discovered new page domestic aircraft manufacturing. For their outstanding achievements, both scientists were also among the laureates of the country’s most honorable and prestigious award.

Workers from various fields of art did not stand aside, also finding support for their creativity at the highest government level. In particular, the beginning of the 1940s was marked by a particularly large number of works submitted for the Stalin Prize in Literature. According to archival data, over the entire 14-year period (1940 ─ 1954), 1,706 Soviet writers became its laureates, for whose encouragement 57.8 million rubles were allocated.

The true classics of Soviet literature were the writers-winners of the Stalin Prize Mikhail Aleksandrovich Sholokhov (photo above), Sergei Nikolaevich Sergeev-Tsensky, Alexei Nikolaevich Tolstoy and a number of other masters of the pen. Their work entered the golden fund of Russian culture.

Prizes awarded to other artists

Among other artists who were awarded the Stalin Prize, one cannot help but recall the outstanding Soviet composer Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich, the creator of the famous “Seventh Symphony,” which he wrote in besieged Leningrad. His photo is given below. He won this prestigious award three times. The people's favorite, who has never played a single film, received it the same number of times. leading role, but at the same time became a real star of Russian cinema ─ Faina Georgievna Ranevskaya. Other artists were also awarded high awards.

Multiple award winners

Among the laureates of the most honorable award were their own record holders. Their leader was the famous aircraft designer Sergei Vladimirovich Ilyushin, who had 7 Stalin Prizes. Prominent Soviet film directors I. A. Pyryev, I. P. Kopalin and Yu. Ya. Raizman received it six times each. Actors N. I. Bogolyubov, N. P. Okhlopkov, writer K. M. Simonov, aircraft designers A. S. Yakovlev, M. I. Gurevich, A. I. Mikoyan and composer S. S. Prokofiev achieved no less success .

Changes made to the procedure for awarding prizes

Brief mention should be made of the changes that were periodically made to the procedure for awarding prizes. For example, at the end of 1940, it was decided to award not one laureate in each category, but three. The reward amounts have also increased. If at the time of the establishment of the award, First Degree laureates received 100 thousand rubles, then two years later this amount was increased three times.

A very significant innovation was the establishment in 1949 of the International Stalin Prize, which was awarded to foreign citizens who had made a significant contribution to the promotion of peace. In order to more thoroughly study the works submitted for prizes, in the mid-40s, two independent departments were created under the Council of People's Commissars. One of them dealt exclusively with prizes awarded in the field of science, and the other considered nominees from literature and art. This allowed us to make more objective assessments.

The changes made also affected the deadlines for submitting works for consideration. State Committee for awarding prizes. If in the initial period, as indicated above, only works completed before October 15 of the current year were accepted, then later it was considered advisable to significantly expand the period of their creation. It is known that by the end of the 40s, work completed within the last six years began to be accepted for consideration.

In any case, it was emphasized that the prize is awarded not for the general contribution of any figure or an entire team to the development of science and art, but for a specifically completed project. This created material incentives for subsequent scientific developments and the creation of works of art.

Cancellation of the Stalin Prize and the establishment of the Lenin Prize

Due to the fact that I.V. Stalin died suddenly without leaving a will, it was impossible to continue transferring royalties for the publication of his books to the award fund. In addition, after the death of the leader, it turned out that the savings in his savings book did not exceed 900 rubles, which was an extremely insignificant amount, even compared to the average worker’s salary, which in those years was 700 rubles. Representatives of the country’s top leadership did not yet have accounts in foreign banks.

Thus, financial revenues to the award fund were interrupted. In addition, a campaign initiated by N. S. Khrushchev to expose Stalin’s personality cult soon followed, during which the very name of the award he once established was withdrawn from use. All laureates awarded the Stalin Prize received new certificates and badges, where the name that had fallen into disgrace was replaced by a new one - laureate of the State Prize. Similar changes were made to scientific and reference literature, in which Stalin's name was kept silent.

In 1956, a government decree established Lenin Prize, in fact, nothing but the name differed from Stalin’s. Her badge of honor appears at the end of the article. This time it was paid not from the personal funds of the head of state, who at that time was N. S. Khrushchev, but from the state budget, and lasted until 1991. Throughout the history of the USSR, the Lenin and Stalin Prizes were the highest forms of reward for Soviet citizens for their outstanding achievements in the field of science and art.

It seems that no state has ever managed to do without bonuses. In Russia, loyal sons of the fatherland were rewarded not only with lands or money, but also with snuff boxes and even caftans. And the Bolsheviks who came to power, who, as is known, did not have much confidence in money, did not refuse to pay bonuses. And when the regulations on the Stalin Prizes were finally formalized 60 years ago, the petty-bourgeois idea that the successful construction of socialism often leads to personal enrichment triumphed completely and finally.

Three days to plunder
If a soldier or official shows extraordinary zeal, then the state also tries not to remain in debt. True, there was no clear procedure for rewarding outstanding achievements for a very long time. It was not immediately that they began to distinguish between the salary that a civil servant receives only for the performance of his duties, and the bonuses awarded for some special feats. This indistinction has been preserved in language, and we still call wages “remuneration.”
Probably, military personnel were the first to receive awards during hostilities. At the same time, distinguished military leaders received land or part of the spoils. As for the soldiers, the custom of giving up a conquered city for plunder has existed since time immemorial. But, in addition to material rewards, there were also moral forms of encouragement - such as orders, commendations, stripes and other accessories. True, it is not always possible to distinguish the material from the moral. For example, an award weapon, which is now perceived as a type of order or medal, originally meant for the recipient and material value. Since the nobles for a long time bought equipment for themselves and their servants at their own expense, rewarding them with expensive and high-quality weapons not only flattered their pride, but also allowed them to save money. And if you look at Russian soldier’s awards, it will not always be possible to distinguish a medal from a cash award. The fact is that in Russia, starting from the 15th century, soldiers were given gold coins, to which those awarded could attach ears themselves and wear them around their necks, or they could simply sell them. Such reward money was minted from gold, while ordinary money was silver. Depending on the rank of the recipient, the coin could be tiny, or it could be quite weighty.
During the time of Boris Godunov, the tradition of seeing a gold coin as a reward rather than a means of payment even led to a diplomatic scandal. In 1600, the Queen of England sent the Tsar a set of gold coins as a gift. In England, coins were not awarded, and Elizabeth had no idea that such a custom existed in Russia. Godunov, having received the coins with which he was accustomed to rewarding his governors, was terribly indignant and wrote to the Queen of England that such small coins should not be sent to him. It goes without saying that Elizabeth did not understand why Godunov was offended, and composed a long message in which she explained that it was not the gift that was valuable, but the attention, and that if Boris sent her a gift ten times cheaper, “our Majesty would have accepted it is not because of the thing itself, but out of respect for the superiority of the one who gave it."

Lands and snuff boxes
Rewarding lands and, accordingly, peasants living on them was actively practiced in the 18th century. This award was highly valued. The only problem was that there was not so much suitable land. Don't reward him with hectares of undeveloped Siberian taiga! It was the lack of land that could be awarded for faithful service that became the reason for the confiscation of land from monasteries in the 18th century. This defused the situation, and awards of estates continued until the 19th century.
However, in 1837, the granting of land for perpetual use was prohibited (although, according to a personal decree, this prohibition could still be violated). Instead of eternal use, land was now leased for a period of 4 to 12 years. The terms of such award leases were more than preferential, and in some cases the awardee did not see the land he was renting at all, but only received income from it. In the 19th century, rent was precisely the net income received by the awardee from the land provided to him.
Of course, lands with the peasants inhabiting them were far from the only type of bonus. A common type of prize was royal gifts, usually snuff boxes with a portrait of the king. They were proud of the royal gifts and even included mention of them in their own title. So, for example, Denis Davydov wrote in his memoirs about the major, who signed himself as follows: “To my most gracious sovereign, major, St. Anna of the 1st degree and Annin’s sword, a snuffbox with the monogram image of His Majesty, decorated with diamonds, and a gentleman of a thousand souls.” The snuff box the major mentions complained quite often. Several large workshops specialized in the production of such award snuff boxes with portraits of the Tsar and Grand Dukes.
For some prize winners, the value of the snuff box was in the portrait of the monarch, and for others - in the diamonds that adorned this portrait. Since selling the highest gift was somehow inconvenient, the recipient had the right to refuse the snuffbox and receive its value in money.
The gift was accompanied by the “highest rescript” - a personal message from the emperor. Here, for example, is the message from Nicholas I that accompanied the snuff box presented to the trustee of the Moscow educational district on the occasion of the centenary of Moscow University: “Vladimir Ivanovich! On the occasion of the centenary of Moscow University, I wish to express to you my royal favor for your excellent, zealous and useful work in your rank Trustee of the Moscow educational district, attested by the authorities, I most mercifully bestow upon you the snuffbox with My portrait, decorated with diamonds, which is being conveyed to you, being favorably disposed toward you.”

Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM

It was assumed that the happy loyal subject would keep the gift he received close to his heart, and not take it for sale. Therefore, more practical items were often added to the snuff boxes and wands sprinkled with diamonds. So, for example, in the list of awards that P. A. Rumyantsev received after the conclusion of the Kyuchuk-Kainardzhi peace we see not only a diploma, a staff studded with diamonds, a sword decorated with diamonds, a crown and orders, but also 5 thousand peasants in Belarus and 10 thousand . rub. for the construction of a house, a silver service for 40 people and paintings to decorate a new house. And for the Turkish War of 1828, I.F. Paskevich was not only granted the title of count, but also awarded a million rubles. However, the century of such royal generosity turned out to be short-lived, and already in 1892, the regulation on awards established that one-time cash payments could not exceed the annual salary.
A much more reliable, and therefore valuable, source of income was career growth. For special merits it was possible not only to earn an order, but also to receive the next rank ahead of schedule.

Caftans and benefits
Only civil servants could be awarded lands and valuable gifts, and not everyone received the honor of serving the state. Meanwhile, situations constantly arose when it was necessary to somehow encourage merchants or rich peasants who played a huge role in the economic life of the country. But don’t give a peasant a snuff box! Therefore, for persons who, due to their humble origins, could not be awarded orders, weapons, lands or awards of official rank, special award caftans began to be made. If the recipient committed a crime, the caftan was taken away and sent to His Majesty's office. This was done even in cases where the caftan was already completely torn, greasy and unsuitable for further use. Caftans were awarded until the Bolshevik Revolution.
In addition to caftans, representatives of the lower classes could be awarded honorary citizens. Honorary citizenship was first established in 1785 by decree of Catherine II. Honorary citizens were not only exempted from corporal punishment, but received the right to ride in a carriage and plant gardens in the city. In addition, they had the right to establish factories and factories. True, this innovation did not take root at that time, and in 1807 the institution of honorary citizenship was abolished, but in 1832 it was restored.
But still, merchants, peasants and ordinary soldiers were very rarely rewarded. Small sums were given to lower army ranks on the emperor's name day. Sometimes soldiers and officers received monetary awards for participating in reviews and parades, which were attended by the emperor himself. Until 1864, money was awarded to Jews who were baptized. For a reward of 60 rubles. one could count on catching a fugitive criminal or pulling a drowning person out of the water. And in addition, a monetary reward was awarded for assistance in catching smugglers or for handing over an accidentally found gold nugget to the state.

In favor of science
The prizes were of greatest importance for scientists and writers, for whom patrons and prominent scientists established many awards. As a rule, it looked like this: a certain amount of money was deposited in the bank, interest on which was paid as a bonus. So, for example, in March 1850, Nicholas I approved the regulations on the Ivanov Prize: “At the request of the late chairman of the Ekaterinoslav Treasury Chamber, actual state councilor Ivanov... the capital left by the testator of 5 thousand rubles should be contributed to the Board of Trustees for an increase in interest, and , when it increases to 40 thousand rubles, provide the Academy of Sciences, separating 10 thousand rubles, use 7 thousand rubles of them as a reward for the best essay “On the wisdom and incomprehensibility of the Creator of the Universe”, and the rest for printing it, then convert 30 thousand rubles into untouchable capital... and use the interest received every 50 years... as a reward for essays on moral and physical matters.” To ensure that the same work does not receive multiple prizes, many competitions specifically stipulate that only those studies for which a competing prize has not been awarded will be considered.
The founders, as a rule, fixed the amounts that were paid to the winners of the competition, but since the bonus fund depended on the size of bank rates, the amounts still had to be periodically revised. New regulations on scientific awards were regularly published. The preface to one of these brochures stated: “As a result of the conversion of 5% of government securities into four percent capital, many awards began to generate income insufficient to issue awards established in the rules for those awards. In view of this, the Imperial Academy of Sciences was forced to begin revising the rules all awards and coordinate the issuance of awards with the funds available to it.”

Sop to bourgeois specialists

Photo: RGAKFD/ROSINFORM

It would seem that after the revolution, when they tried to abandon all bourgeois relics, which included money, bonuses should become a thing of the past. This, however, did not happen, and, as usual, bourgeois specialists were to blame for this. Needing qualified specialists, the Bolsheviks were ready to maintain for them not only high salaries, but also a system of bonuses. "It is necessary to leave known time higher remuneration for specialists,” V.I. Lenin wrote in 1919, “so that they can work no worse, but better, than before, and for the same purpose, one cannot abandon the system of bonuses for the most successful and especially for organizational work; bonuses will be unacceptable under a system of complete communism, but in the transition era from capitalism to communism it is impossible to do without bonuses, as both theoretical considerations and year-long experience testify Soviet power"It's funny that in the 70s, when material incentives became a national fashion, this Leninist statement was quoted in such a way that it was impossible to understand that we were talking about bourgeois specialists, and not about all working people.
The era of semi-natural farming in the first post-revolutionary years was not the most the right time to develop a state bonus system. Of course, material rewards in the form of a sack of potatoes, a bar of soap or a loaf of bread were practiced quite widely, but there was no strict procedure for issuing valuable gifts. True, on June 23, 1925, the Council of People's Commissars established the prize named after. V.I. Lenin for the most outstanding works in the field of science, technology, literature and art. Prizes were not awarded in all nominated categories, and in 1935 they stopped being awarded altogether.
Valuable gifts such as an expensive gun, a personal car or a separate apartment were much more widespread. So, at the beginning of 1935, the Politburo decided to reward the polar pilot Mikhail Babushkin with a personal car. At that time, a bonus was almost the only way to get ownership of a car.
In the thirties they loved to reward production drummers. Such awards became widespread after Drummer Day was pompously celebrated in September 1930. General meetings, local committees, and the administration had the right to reward leaders. This meant that the struggle to increase labor productivity would henceforth be waged not only with the help of a stick, but also with the help of a carrot.

Stakhanov style
The national love for prizes began during the Stakhanov movement. Leading workers who exceeded the norm were literally inundated with bonuses and gifts. At the same time, newspapers enthusiastically listed the consumer goods that front-line workers received. The Stakhanovites loved to tell correspondents about the wonderful things they were rewarded with. “I received a bed, a gramophone and other necessary cultural items as a bonus,” a Stakhanovite collective farmer told the correspondent. “Everything I was wearing, I received as a bonus for good work on the collective farm. In addition to the dress and shoes, I received a sewing machine... For I was rewarded with a silk dress worth 250 rubles." Newspapers talked about how a Leningrad Stakhanovite seamstress received a watch, a vase, an alarm clock, a tablecloth, an electric samovar, an iron, a gramophone, gramophone records, the works of Lenin and Stalin, and 122 more books as a reward for her valiant work.
Such awards were awarded not only to make the Stakhanovites richer, but also to make them more civilized. Gramophones, sewing machines, hunting rifles, bicycles and the works of the classics of Marxism-Leninism were supposed to make the life of the shock workers “cultured”.
The huge bonuses that the Stakhanovites received aroused not only a desire to imitate them, but also envy and hatred. So, at the Krasnaya Zarya garment factory, during a conversation about Stakhanov, Pavlova, a worker in the winding department, submitted an application to switch from 12 bobbins to 16. After the break, worker Smirnova hung a dirty rag on Pavlova’s machine and said: “Here’s a bonus for your activity in the transition.” for hard work." Unlike the authors of newspaper reports, colleagues saw in the Stakhanov movement not so much a desire for a bright future, but rather a desire to receive another handout from the hands of the state.

Thanks to Comrade Stalin...
The country's main prize was established in December 1939, during the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of I.V. Stalin.
Outstanding figures of science, art, inventors and military specialists had a chance to receive a large sum. True, in the first version of the resolution of the Council of People's Commissars there were no writers among the nominees for the Stalin Prize. Such discrimination was most likely explained by the fact that a few months earlier a special literary prize named after Gorky had already been established. It is difficult to say what kind of struggle Soviet writers had to endure, but in early February 1940, a new resolution of the Council of People's Commissars appeared, establishing the Stalin Prize for the literary fraternity - prose writers, poets, playwrights and literary critics. There were three levels of Stalin Prizes. Ten first prizes were given out (100 thousand rubles each), twenty second prizes (50 thousand each) and thirty third prizes (25 thousand each). Over time, the amounts and number of laureates changed, but the division into degrees remained unchanged: the country's main prize was hierarchical, indicating the degree of “royal favor.”
A special resolution of the Council of People's Commissars contained the rules for dividing money. If there were two awardees, then the prize was divided equally; if there were three, then the manager received half, and the performers received 1/4 of the amount. If there were four or more awardees, then the manager received a third of the amount, and the rest was divided equally among the team members. Only those works that were completed in the year the prize was awarded were eligible for competition. Only for the first time they decided to make an exception, rewarding the authors of works completed over the past six years.
Among the first Stalin's laureates there were physicist P. L. Kapitsa, mathematician A. N. Kolmogorov, fighter for Michurin biology T. D. Lysenko, physicians A. A. Bogomolets, N. N. Burdenko, V. P. Filatov, geologist V. A. Obruchev , creator of small arms V. A. Degtyarev, aircraft designer S. A. Lavochkin. The prize in the field of fine arts was received by A. M. Gerasimov for the immortal canvas “Stalin and Voroshilov in the Kremlin.” In the field of sculpture, the first degree prize was given to S. D. Merkurov (for the figure of Stalin), and the other to V. I. Mukhin for “The Worker and the Collective Farm Woman.” The prize in the field of architecture went to D. N. Chechulin for the projects of the Kyiv and Komsomolskaya metro stations. Among the writers, the prize was given to A. N. Tolstoy (for the novel “Peter the Great”), M. A. Sholokhov for “Quiet Don” and N. F. Pogodin for the play “The Man with a Gun.”
The Stalin Prize was awarded regularly, and its amount grew: already in 1942, first-degree prize winners received not 100, but 200 thousand rubles. True, after Stalin’s death, the country’s main prize was renamed the state prize. It is characteristic that during his famous report at the 20th Congress, N.S. Khrushchev complained that “even the tsars did not establish such prizes that they would call by their name.” However, the silencing of the Stalin Prizes began even a little earlier. In the 40th volume of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia (signed for publication on July 20, 1955), the article “Stalin Prizes” is missing, while in previous volumes there are references to this article.
As a result of the “return to Leninist norms” that was becoming fashionable, the Lenin Prize was restored in 1957, which immediately became the country’s main prize. The Lenin Prize was single and had no degrees. However, it was not possible to get rid of the gradation of the country’s main prizes, and after a short time the country again had three main prizes: Lenin, State and Council of Ministers of the USSR.

Financial incentives
In the 70s, it became fashionable to talk about the importance of material incentives. As a result, bonuses gradually turned into an almost obligatory increase in salary, which, however, could be lost as a punishment for one or another violation. “Deprivation of a bonus” gradually turned into the Soviet equivalent of a production fine.
If you read Soviet books devoted to material incentives under socialism, you will find out that “the current bonuses for workers, aimed at improving quantitative indicators, are made for fulfilling and exceeding production plans, standardized tasks, technically justified production standards, reducing labor intensity, etc. ". This is "etc." was almost endless.
Personalized prizes were gradually revived. For example, the award to them. A. N. Krylova was awarded for best works in the field of technical sciences, named after. A. F. Ioffe - for work in the field of physics, O. Yu. Schmidt - in the field of geophysics. The size of these bonuses was about 2000 rubles. Similar awards existed for many branches of knowledge. However, unlike pre-revolutionary awards, the source of funding was the same state funds. In the end, every self-respecting organization acquired its own award, which could be received, for example, for the best literary work about the police or the KGB.
Since it was customary to be proud of awards, official documents and newspaper articles often indicated that Comrade Pupkin was a laureate of the N-city Komsomol Committee award. This looked no less comical than calling oneself “the gentleman of the snuff box with the monogram image of His Imperial Majesty.”
In the post-Soviet period, the previous bonus system collapsed. The budget-financed prizes seemed ridiculously small and could not be compared with the grants and prizes handed out by various foreign foundations and public organizations. And then the state again took this matter into its own hands, as evidenced, in particular, by numerous recent bonus initiatives. The presidential decree “On improving the system of state bonuses in the field of science and technology, education and culture,” signed in the summer of this year, suggests that the reformed state award should become not only honorary award, but to seriously and for a long time solve the financial problems of the laureates.
ALEXANDER MALAKHOV

LETTER OF THE LAW
The highest approved Regulations on service awards. (31 July 1859)
1. Faithful, true servants of the Fatherland have hope for special Royal favor and mercy, and in all cases, based on proven loyalty and skill, expect a reward commensurate with their merits...
2. The judgment about the work and dignity of each employee belongs to his superiors, and therefore no one can himself ask for a reward for his service; but, in case of distinction, he should expect to be awarded a reward from the authorities, who present it according to the established procedure...
3. In encouraging service, superiors are obliged not to leave without representation regarding the awarding of persons who are distinguished by special zeal and who have shown real merit. But all authorities must refrain from any biased ideas and in no way ask for awards without true merit and merit, but observe possible moderation in the number and degree of awards, bearing in mind that only the service of certain awards and terms and the direct performance of official duties, according to the duty of the oath , without constituting a special distinction, cannot serve as the basis for an application for an award, and that the terms of awards are obligatory only in the sense that they should not be presented earlier, but do not in any way oblige the authorities to certainly honor everyone after serving the terms...
4. The service awards sought are:
1) His Imperial Majesty's highest favor; 2) Ranks; 3) Orders; 4) Assignment of leases and grants of lands; 5) Gifts from His Highest Imperial Majesty the Name; 6) One-time cash payments...
50. Gifts are of two kinds: one with a monogram image of the Most High Name of His Imperial Majesty, granted from His Majesty’s Cabinet; and others are ordinary, appointed at the expense of the ministries and main departments’ own funds.
51. Gifts with a monogram image of the Highest Name can only be awarded to persons who hold positions or civil ranks not lower than V class or have a military rank not lower than colonel. The value of gifts is assigned by rank, by order of His Majesty's Cabinet.
52. Ordinary gifts can be presented to persons of all ranks and positions. Ministries and main departments are given the opportunity to award ordinary gifts at a price known at their discretion, as long as it does not exceed the salary received by the person represented. Such gifts should be purchased by the ministries and main departments themselves, using the purchase account of the residual staffing and operating amounts of the ministry or main department to whose department the recipient belongs, but do not require a special amount for this and do not include it in the annual budgets.
Note. Existing order, according to which, when awarding ordinary gifts, the desire of the recipient to receive the gift itself is granted or sum of money the value of the gift does not change.
54. The monetary reward granted to one person should not exceed the annual salary of his salary; and if the recipient receives several salaries, then the highest of them...
55. Under circumstances worthy of special respect, it is allowed to simultaneously request cash payments and more than an annual salary, but by no means higher than the annual maintenance salary, and so that such payments are requested not from the State Treasury, but at the expense of the own funds of the department where the recipient serves...

LABOR AND CAPITAL
"Interest on capital is used exclusively for premiums..."
Rules for the awards of Academician F. F. Brandt, approved by the general meeting of the Imperial Academy of Sciences at a meeting on March 2, 1896.
1. Brandt's awards are formed from interest on capital collected through voluntary donations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Academician Privy Councilor F. F. Brandt.
2. The fixed capital remains inviolable for eternity and increases by adding to it a certain portion of interest or by voluntary contributions that can henceforth be received. Interest on capital is used exclusively for bonuses or for increasing capital.
3. The untouchable capital, circulated in state credit securities (in the name of the capital of the Brandt Prize), is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Academy of Sciences.
4. Awards named after Academician Brandt, distributed every three years, consist of cash prizes.
5. Currently there is one bonus, which consists of 500 rubles. and cannot be divisible...
10. An essay awarded the Academician Baer Prize cannot be crowned with the F. F. Brandt Prize.
12. Prizes are given only to the authors themselves or their legal heirs, but not to publishers.
16. The next Brandt Award will be awarded on December 29, 1896, then in 1899, 1902, etc.
(Collection of information about prizes and awards given out by the Imperial Academy of Sciences. St. Petersburg, 1896, p. 8-9)

PREMIUM RATION
First person name
On the establishment of a prize and scholarship named after Stalin
In commemoration of the sixtieth birthday of Comrade Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR decides:
I. Establish 16 Stalin Prizes (in the amount of 100 thousand rubles each), awarded annually to scientists and artists for outstanding work in the field of: 1. physical and mathematical sciences, 2. technical sciences, 3. chemical sciences, 5. agricultural sciences Sciences, 6. medical sciences, 7. philosophical sciences, 8. economic sciences, 9. historical and philological sciences, 10. legal sciences, 11. music, 12. painting, 13. sculpture, 14. architecture, 15. theatrical art, 16. cinematography.
II. Establish the Stalin Prize, awarded annually for the best invention:
ten first prizes in the amount of 100 thousand rubles. each,
twenty second prizes in the amount of 50 thousand rubles. each,
thirty-third bonuses in the amount of 25 thousand rubles. each.
III. Establish the Stalin Prize, awarded annually for outstanding achievements in the field of military knowledge:
three first prizes in the amount of 100 thousand rubles. each,
five second prizes in the amount of 50 thousand rubles. each,
ten third prizes in the amount of 25 thousand rubles. each.
December 20, 1939, Moscow, Kremlin.

On the establishment of the Stalin Prize for Literature
Resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR
In addition to the resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of December 20, 1939... The Council of People's Commissars of the USSR decides:
Establish four prizes named after Stalin, 100 thousand rubles each. each, awarded annually for outstanding works in the field of literature, of which: one - in poetry, one - in prose, one - in drama, one - in literary criticism.
February 1, 1940, Moscow, Kremlin.

Lenin Prize

Lenin Prize- in one of higher forms rewarding citizens for the most major achievements in the fields of science, technology, literature, art and architecture.

Story

The V.I. Lenin Prizes were established on June 23, 1925 by resolution of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks and the Council of People's Commissars. Initially they were awarded only for scientific works.

Not awarded from 1935 to 1957. On December 20, 1939, in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of J.V. Stalin, a resolution of the Council of People's Commissars was adopted “On the establishment of a prize and scholarship named after Stalin.” It said: “In commemoration of the sixtieth birthday of Comrade Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR decides: to establish 16 Stalin Prizes (in the amount of 100 thousand rubles each), awarded annually to scientists and artists for outstanding work in the field of: 1) physics and mathematics sciences, 2) technical sciences, 3) chemical sciences, 4) biological sciences, 5) agricultural sciences, 6) medical sciences, 7) philosophical sciences, 8) economic sciences, 9) historical and philological sciences, 10) legal sciences, 11) music, 12) painting, 13) sculpture, 14) architecture, 15 ) theatrical art, 16) cinematography."

The number of prizes awarded and their size subsequently changed several times.

Stalin Prize

On August 15, 1956, the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR adopted a resolution to restore the V.I. Lenin Prizes and award them annually on V.I. Lenin’s birthday - April 22. In 1957, the awarding of Lenin Prizes for outstanding scientific works, architectural and technical structures, inventions introduced into the national economy, technological processes, etc. was restored; Lenin Prizes were also established for outstanding works of literature and art. In March 1960, the Lenin Prizes in the field of journalism and publicism were established.

Initially, 42 prizes were awarded. Since 1961, according to the regulations, up to 76 prizes could be awarded annually. Of these, up to 60 were awarded by the Committee for Lenin Prizes in the field of science and technology and up to 16 by the Committee for Lenin Prizes in the field of science and art under the Council of Ministers of the USSR. In 1967, this number of awards was reduced to 30. The laureates were awarded a diploma, a gold medal and a cash prize. Since 1961, the cash bonus amounted to 7,500 rubles each.

In the period 1956-1967, the Lenin Prize was the only state prize top level, so the number of its laureates was large. In 1967, the USSR State Prize was established, which began to be considered less prestigious, thereby increasing the level of the Lenin Prize.

According to the resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated September 9, 1966, 30 Lenin Prizes were awarded once every 2 years (including 25 in science and technology, 5 in literature, art, architecture). Since 1966, Stalin Prize diplomas were replaced by corresponding State Prize diplomas. In 1970, an additional prize was established for works of literature and art for children. Since 1961, the cash bonus has been 10,000 rubles each.

STALIN PRIZE

Prizes and scholarships “in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Comrade Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin” were established by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated December 20, 1939. It indicated that 16 Stalin Prizes were being established (in the amount of 100 thousand rubles each), which would be awarded annually to scientists and artists for outstanding work in the following fields of science: physics and mathematics, technical, chemical, biological, agricultural, medical, philosophical , economic, historical-philological, legal, as well as for achievements in music, painting, sculpture, architecture, theatrical art and cinematography.

The same decree established the Stalin Prizes, which were to be awarded annually for the best invention: ten first prizes in the amount of 100 thousand rubles each, twenty second prizes in the amount of 50 thousand rubles each, and thirty third prizes in the amount of 25 thousand rubles each. The Stalin Prize was also established for outstanding achievements in the field of military knowledge: three first prizes of 100 thousand rubles each, five second prizes of 50 thousand rubles each, and ten third prizes of 25 thousand rubles each.

In addition to this document, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, a month and a half later, decided to establish four more Stalin Prizes (100 thousand rubles each), which will be awarded for outstanding works in the field of literature - one prize each in poetry, prose, drama and literary criticism.

All works in the field of various sciences, military knowledge, etc., nominated for the Stalin Prize, as well as descriptions of inventions with the attachment of all necessary drawings and documents, were submitted to the Stalin Prize Committees, which were created under the Council of People's Commissars, no later than October 15 of the current of the year. After discussing and evaluating the submitted works, the Committees submitted their proposals for awarding Stalin Prizes to the Council of People's Commissars before December 1 of the current year.

According to the regulations for the Stalin Prizes, only new works or inventions completed in the year the prizes were awarded were submitted. Works or inventions completed between October 15 and December 1 of the current year were eligible for the Stalin Prize next year. Scientific societies, research institutes, higher education institutions could present their works educational establishments and public organizations.

Works in the fields of science and military knowledge, as well as descriptions of inventions, were submitted in any language in triplicate, printed on typewriters or by typography. Literary and musical works, as well as architectural projects, were presented in one copy, other works of art - in the original. The evaluation and awarding of prizes in the field of theatrical art and cinematography were carried out both on the basis of the submitted materials (plays, scripts, etc.) and on the basis of the films and theatrical productions that took place.

The Committee for Awarding Stalin Prizes for work in the field of science, military knowledge and inventions was entrusted with a preliminary examination of the works, selecting the most outstanding ones and presenting them with its conclusion to the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. For a more complete and comprehensive assessment of these works, the Committee could organize sections from its members with the participation of scientists of relevant specialties, and also create expert commissions of the largest scientists and practitioners. Research institutes, scientific societies and institutions could take part in the consideration of individual works on behalf of the Committee, which then presented their conclusions to the Committee. IN necessary cases Representatives of research institutes were invited to the Committee meetings, scientific institutions and organizations, as well as individuals to participate in discussions and give opinions on works nominated for the Stalin Prize. Committee decisions were made by a simple majority of votes by closed ballot.

If the Stalin Prize was received by a group of authors of two people, then it was divided in half between them; with a team of three people, the leader was given half the money, and the rest was divided equally between the other two members of the team; if the team of authors consisted of four or more people, then the director received a third of the bonus, and two-thirds were divided among the remaining members of the team.

In the first year, the procedure for awarding the Stalin Prizes was slightly changed, and it was decided to present awards not only for works of 1940, but also for works of the last 6 years, starting in 1935. One of the first to receive the Stalin Prize of the first degree in the field of physical and mathematical sciences was P.L. Kapitsa, full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, for the scientific work “Turboexpander for obtaining low temperatures and its use for air liquefaction.” Major General of Artillery P.A. Gelvikh was awarded the Stalin Prize for a number of works: “On dispersion, the probability of a hit and the mathematical expectation of the number of hits,” “ Theoretical foundations developing shooting rules" and "Shooting at fast-moving targets."

The Stalin Prize of the first degree was awarded to Academician N.N. Burdenko for scientific works in surgery of central and peripheral nervous system. Academician V.V. Obruchev was awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree for his three-volume scientific work “Geology of Siberia”.

High awards were also given during the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War. The terrible military situation not only did not stop the work of the creative intelligentsia, but, on the contrary, led to an unprecedented patriotic impulse and the scope of creative initiative of Soviet scientists, inventors and production innovators. Everyone understood perfectly well that their activities during war years were needed even more than in peacetime. And 1941 showed major achievements of Soviet scientists in all fields of knowledge.

Rebuilding industry on a war footing, it was necessary to expand its raw material resources, increase production capacity, etc. In this regard, the work awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree, carried out by a group of academicians and scientific workers under the leadership of V.L. Komarov - President of the USSR Academy of Sciences. They researched and developed issues of development of the national economy of the Urals, as well as economic measures in the field of ferrous metallurgy, building materials, energy, etc. As a result of these studies, specific work was planned to expand the production of the Ural industry.

Among the laureates of the Stalin Prize of the first degree is the name of the famous chemist N.D. Zelinsky, who was awarded a high award for his work on the catalytic transformation of hydrocarbons and defense chemistry.

For aircraft manufacturing great importance had the works of Professor M.V. Keldysh and Candidate of Technical Sciences E.P. Grossman, awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree. These scientists developed the theory of elastic vibrations of aircraft parts and presented a method for calculating aircraft for flutter.

The composer D. Shostakovich spent the first months of the war in besieged Leningrad, where he conceived the idea of the “Seventh Symphony,” dedicated to the heroic defenders of the city. Three movements of the symphony were written in Leningrad; the composer completed the final work on this work in Kuibyshev. Soon this work went around the whole world, affirming the all-conquering humanism of the Soviet people. The writer A. Tolstoy wrote that “The Seventh Symphony arose from the conscience of the Russian people, who without hesitation accepted a mortal battle with the black forces. Written in Leningrad, it has grown to the size of great world art, understandable at all latitudes and meridians, because it tells the truth about man in an unprecedented time of his misfortunes and trials.”

In 1942, for the Seventh Symphony, D. Shostakovich was awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree. In the same year he was awarded the title “Honored Artist of the RSFSR.” In 1946, the composer’s new work, a trio for violin, cello and piano, was awarded the Stalin Prize, and a year later the outstanding composer was awarded the title “People’s Artist of the RSFSR.”

In 1947, D. Shostakovich performed the seven-part oratorio “Song of the Forests,” written for soloists, choir and orchestra to a text by the poet E. Dolmatovsky. For this work, as well as for the music for the film “The Fall of Berlin” in 1950, the composer was awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree. A new significant achievement of D. Shostakovich was the suite for choir “a capella” (unaccompanied) created by him in 1951 - “Ten Poems” based on texts by revolutionary poets of the period from 1905 to October revolution. In 1952, this work was awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree.

All recipients received the title “Laureate of the Stalin Prize.” The honorary badge “Stalin Prize Laureate” was worn on the right side of the chest next to orders and medals of the USSR. It was made of silver and was a convex oval, covered with white enamel and bordered at the bottom with gold laurel wreaths.

Golden ascending rays were depicted on white enamel. At the top of the sign, against the background of these rays, was placed five pointed star, made of red enamel and bordered with a gold rim. In the middle of the oval there was an inscription in gold capital letters: “TO THE STALIN PRIZE LAUREATE.” Top part The oval ended with a corrugated ribbon, covered with blue enamel with a gold edge, with the inscription on it: “USSR”. Using an eyelet and a ring, the honorary badge “Stalin Prize Laureate” was connected to a silver plate covered with gold, on which the year of the Stalin Prize was written in blue enamel in Arabic numerals. The resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR on awarding the Stalin Prizes was published in the central press on December 21 - the birthday of I.V. Stalin.

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