A.A. Smirnov as a Celtic Scholar in the light of his theoretical contribution

The article focuses on the celtological oeuvre of the famous philologist, translator and editor Alexander Alexandrovich Smimov (1883-1962). Aside from the well-known prosopographical approach, the author concentrates on the analysis of Smimov's theoretical basis in Celtic Studies: his views related to classification, definition, features of the Celtic Literatures and their connotations with the Old French tradition. The connections between A. Smimov and international Celtic schools are also thoroughly examined. The author gives special gratitude to the National Library of Russia, the Institute of Russian Literature in the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Literature and Arts Central State Archive of St. Petersburg for an opportunity to work and consult with their founds and record series. Some sources are kindly provided by G. Bondarenko, PhD, and T. Mikhailova, PhD, Dr.habil., Prof.