Alexei Stupin

His career began in a bookstore owned by Pyotr Sharapov [ru], as a contracted sales agent and manager, working on commission.

His business grew even more rapidly, as he was also a commissioned agent for the synodal publishing house, many of whose books were required purchases for the clergy.

His original catalog contained a variety of subjects, including popular, religious, folk, artistic, reference and educational works.

He was especially well known for his children's books, including a series known as the Библиотечка Ступина (Stupin Library), containing fairy tales, historical stories, travels, popular essays about the life of nature, and games.

[2] His exact date of death is unrecorded, due to its occurrence during the Great Retreat, and his grave at Vagankovo Cemetery has since been lost.