Background
Nikolai Ivanovich Stoyanovsky was born on December 31, 1820 (January 12, 1821) in Mogilev (now Mogilev, Belarus) into a family of gentry.
Nikolai Ivanovich Stoyanovsky was born on December 31, 1820 (January 12, 1821) in Mogilev (now Mogilev, Belarus) into a family of gentry.
In 1832-1836 Nikolai Ivanovich studied at the noble boarding house in Zlatopol, Kiev Governorate. In 1837 he entered the Law School of Saint Petersburg and graduated from it in 1841.
In 1850 - 1854, Nikolai Ivanovich was a teacher of criminal and civil proceedings at St.Petersburg Law School. In 1857 he started his career in the Senate, he was a state body which performed the functions of a supreme court and of an inspectorate for the State service system. His last appointment was a post of a chief procurator.
Nikolai Ivanovich became active in political life in the 1860s at the time of liberal reforms in Russia. In January of 1861, he took an active part in peasants’ reform as a Secretary of State in the State Council. For his works and activities devoted to peasants’ liberation Stoyanovski was awarded the Gold Medal.
At the end of 1862, Nikolai Ivanovich was appointed Vice-Minister of Justice. In reality, it was he who directed the Ministry, revealing a great ability to work and talent of a manager in elaborating and implementing legal statutes. In 1867, he left the post of Vice-Minister of Justice.
In 1877, Nikolai Ivanovich became one of the founders and then during 18 years the chairman of the Law Society. He was the author of the Practical Manual on the Russian Criminal Legal Proceedings (1852), of numerous articles and essays.
Nikolai Ivanovich was a member of numerous societies: the Russian Geographic Society, Archeological Society, Slavic Charity Society and an honorary member of the Imperial Russian Music Society.
Nikolai Ivanovich married Aleksandra Grigorievna Olenina (1834-1899), the daughter of Grigori Nikanorovich Olenin, who left memories of his acquaintance with Pushkin.
