Nathan Notkin

Nathan Notkin, also known as Nathan Shklover, was a Russian merchant and army contractor who used his influence to improve the status of the Jews in Russian society at the beginning of the 19th century.

Born in Shklov, Notkin spent his life in Moscow and latter in St. Petersburg. He was respected by the Prince Grigori Aleksandrovich Potemkin, and through this acquaintance became employed as large scale purveyor and military contractor of the Russian army. As one of the founders of the St. Petersburg Jewish community, he made great efforts to demonstrate to the government ways to improve the condition of the Jews. One of his suggestions was idea for the foundation of large-scale agricultural colonies for the Jews of “New Russia” as well as plans for industrial plants near the ports of the Black Sea.