The article deals with the issues related to the life and scientific activities of Academician Evgraf S. Fedorov (1853-1919). It highlights the period of his work at the Geological Committee, which made him one of the leading crystallographers of his time. The article specifically focuses on Fedorov’s activities as a teacher and administrator – the first elected Director of the Mining Institute n.a. Catherine II. The study is based on the documents found in the St. Petersburg branch of the Archive of the Russian Academy of Sciences and memoirs of Fedorov’s students.

The article focuses on the issue of introducing a national component in the process of teaching the humanities. It provides an example outline of topics on the history of certain diasporas within the framework of the course in Russian history.