On the 100th anniversary of N.A. SHITOV (1921-1991)

On December 2, 2021 there was 100th anniversary of the birth of our famous scientist, teacher, doctor of history, professor NIKOLAY SHITOV.

From 1953 to 1991 he worked at the academy as a lecturer, then senior lecturer, the associate professor, professor, for 26 years he worked as a head of department of history of the CPSU.

N.A. Shitov belonged to that generation of scientific intelligentsia, which had to pave the way to life in the very difficult economic and social conditions of the post-war period, go through the tests of numerous reforms, get a good education, make a worthy contribution to science and take an honorary place among compatriots.

Nikolay Shitov was born in a peasant family in the village of Yeliakhino, Myaksinsk district, Vologda region. He graduated from high school with honour and in December 1940 he was drafted into the Red Army. In February 1941 he was sent to the First Kiev Pilot School. Then in 1943-1945 he served as an aircraft mechanic in the 786th fighter regiment of 142nd aviation divisions.

After the war, N.A. Shitov graduated with honors from the History Department of the Cherepovets Teachers Training College, and then studied by correspondence at the History Department of the Leningrad A.I. Herzen Teachers Training College. In June 1953, N.A. Shitov was sent to work at the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy. A new stage in his life began, related to teaching, social work and scientific research in the field of history.

He thoroughly researches the materials of the Belarusian archives, comprehensively and critically analyzes historiography on the agrarian problem. In November 1959, by the decision of the Council of the Faculty of History of Moscow State M.V. Lomonosov University N.A. Shitov was awarded the degree of PhD in history. In the 1960-70s, the scientific interests of N.A. Shitov were concentrated on socio-economic development of the Belarusian village, progressive and negative trends taking place in the socio-political life of the peasantry. The result of this work was the monograph "In the struggle for the strengthening and development of collective farms." In May 1973, a doctorate in historical sciences was awarded for this work. Note that in the history of the BSAA it was the first doctor of historical sciences.

N.A. Shitov made a great contribution to the study of the history of the BSAA. He was one of the authors of the collective monograph "Belarusian Agricultural Academy. Essays on History "(Minsk 1965)," Belarusian Agricultural Academy: 150 years. Short essay on history and activity "(Minsk, 1990). In total, he prepared over 90 scientific and scientific-methodological works.

Professor N.A. Shitov combined his research work with active pedagogical activity. The teacher believed that students are a torch that needs to be lit, and therefore sought to convey to them the best traditions and features of his generation: patriotism, hard work, collectivism. "We want you to preserve and multiply these traditions, so that they are embodied in your deeds and in the deeds of more and more generations," N.A. Shitov noted during meetings with students.

The fruitful work of N.A. Shitov was awarded the honorary title "Honored Worker of the Higher School of the BSSR." He was awarded the orders of World War II degree, the Labor Red Banner, 13 medals, 3 Diplomas of Honor of the Supreme Council of the BSSR. The name of Nikolay Shitov is included in the Chronicle of the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy (1995, 2000), The Chronicle of the City of Gorki (1995), and the book "Memory: Gorki District" (1996). Materials about his life and activities are placed in the expositions of the Museum of the History of the Academy and the Gorki District Historical and Ethnographic Museum.

In order to perpetuate the memory of N.A. Shitov, the brochure "The First Doctor of History" was published at the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy in the series "Outstanding Teachers and students of the BSAA" (1999, 2005). By the decision of the Academic Council of the BSAA, the classroom 16049 in the educational building No. 16 was named after N.A. Shitov.

In 2010 the Academy Council approved a scholarship named after N.A. Shitov for students of the Faculty of Business and Law.

N.S. Shatravko
Head of Social and Humanitarian Disciplines Department.