Sosnovsky Ivan Vasilyevich
(28.03(09.04).1868 – after 1917)

Arkhangelsk governor during 1907–1911.
Nobles Sosnovsky belonged to the category of Russian people who devoted their lives to devotional service to the king and fatherland. Sosnovsky's father, Vasily Osipovich, was a secret adviser and retired in 1901 from the post of Smolensk governor.
In 1890, Sosnovsky graduated from the law faculty of St. Petersburg University with a “first degree diploma” and entered the service of the Zemsky department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 1893, an energetic and capable young man received an offer for the post of junior commissioner for special assignments from the appointed Arkhangelsk Governor A.P. Engelhardt
In this position, Sosnovsky worked for a year, making numerous trips around the province on his own, as well as accompanying the governor. He had to visit the most remote corners of this vast region. He inspected the construction of roads, got acquainted with the life and lifestyle of the local population, examined the schismatic hermitages, studied the characteristics of salt production, participated in the work of peasant congresses, delving into the needs and aspirations of ordinary people. In the summer of 1894, Sosnovsky accompanied Engelhardt on his trip around the Onega, Kemsky, Kola and Pechora Counties, visited the Murmansk coast and Novaya Zemlya. It was an excellent school of life and government, the ability to defend the interests of Russia from the encroachments of foreigners. "For diligent service and special works," he received his first award - the Order of St.Stanislav 1 degree.
A reflection of the outstanding business and human qualities of Sosnovsky was a quick ascent through the ranks. In 1894, he was transferred to St. Petersburg to the Ministry of the Interior, in 1897 he was appointed senior assistant to the head of the office of the Office of the Committee of Ministers, in 1899 he was assigned a responsible case on resettlement issues along the Trans-Siberian Railway line. In 1900, Sosnowski was seconded to the World Exhibition in Paris, for participation in which the French government marked him with the Cavalier Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honor.
In subsequent years, he worked in the Trans-Baikal, Amur and Primorsky regions, solving a number of issues related to land management, Cossack colonization of the region, Buddhism and Lamaism. His extensive knowledge, experience, organizational skills attracted attention. At the end of 1904, Sosnovsky was appointed vice-governor in Perm and then in Yaroslavl, in 1905 he took the post of assistant to the mayor of St. Petersburg, almost immediately after the tragic events of January 9.
The peak of Sosnovsky’s activities was the governorship in Arkhangelsk, to which he, already a state councilor, was appointed at the suggestion of P.A. Stolypin. Over the years of his activity in this post, much has been done to strengthen and develop this harsh margin of the Russian Empire. The Arkhangelsk port was actively developed, the field telegraph began to function, linking fishing areas with the center, a tough opposition to the expansion of the Norwegian and Finnish fishermen to the Murmansk coast began, decisive steps were taken to settle Murman with Russian people. The telegraph line, which connected all points of the Murmansk coast, made it possible to organize the storm warning telegraph service developed by L.L. Breithfuss. By 1911, Arkhangelsk was connected by a telegraph network with Petersburg and all district cities of Russia.
Great importance attached Sosnovsky research, development and colonization of Novaya Zemlya, perfectly understanding the importance of preserving and strengthening the Russian influence on the archipelago, which was the object of claims of Norway. He was the initiator and organizer of three expeditions V.A. Rusanov to the Novaya Zemlya.
In 1911, on the initiative of Sosnovsky, a fishing colony of Russian settlers was founded on the northern island of Novaya Zemlya in Krestovaya Bay. In July, the first flight on the steamer “Koroleva Olga Konstantinovna” arrived there by the governor himself with a group of high-ranking secular and clergymen. After the moleben, consecration and salute, the governor laid the foundation stone for the future home. In September, on the same ship, a detachment of armed guards took the Norwegian fishermen out of the archipelago. Although the colony in Krestova Bay existed for a short time due to the difficult living conditions, it allowed Russia to strengthen its influence on the archipelago.
Already after Sosnovsky had left for the new duty station, implementation of another of his vital plan for Russia began - the organization of border guards on the Russian-Norwegian border.
Under Sosnovsky, important steps were taken in the development of shipping both along the sea coast and along the rivers of the Arkhangelsk province.
In July 1911, Sosnovsky traveled to the Crimea to treat the acute rheumatism he earned during his long trips around the province. He traveled for 2-3 months, but the disease did not allow him to return to the North. At the end of October he was appointed Odessa mayor.
There is very little information about the future of Sosnowski. It is only known that he was the last mayor of Odessa, and in January 1917 he became the deputy minister of foreign affairs. Information about how he survived the revolution and civil war, whether it survived where this glorious Russian man found his end, who did so much for Russia, could not be found.
Mountains, cape and bay on the shore of Krestovaya bay on the northern island of Novaya Zemlya. Named in 1909 by the expedition of V.A. Rusanov.
Guba in the south of the Admiralty peninsula on the northern island of Novaya Zemlya. Named by V.A. Rusanov in 1909.