Imenitye Grazhdane

(distinguished citizens), one of the basic categories of urban population in Russia, established by Catherine IPs charter of cities of 1785. It comprised individuals engaged in the free professions (certified scholars, artists, and musicians) and the upper strata of the developing bourgeoisie (wholesalers, bankers of a declared capital of more than 100,000 rubles, entrepreneurs of a declared capital of more than 50,000 rubles, and the elite among city magistrates). The members were free from corporal punishment and had the right to maintain factories and lead the life of the gentry. In 1807 representatives of the merchant class were excluded from their ranks. In 1832 the category was abolished with the creation of the new category of pochetnye grazhdane (honored citizens).