History is full of surprising twists. Once, the parents of the irreconcilable opponents Alexander Kerensky and Vladimir Lenin were close friends. Moreover, the father of the future head of the Provisional Government taught the future leader of the USSR. Let's break it down in order. In 1879, Fyodor Mikhailovich Kerensky, a graduate of the historical and philological faculty of Kazan University, arrived in Simbirsk, where the Ulyanov family lived.

By that time, he had already accumulated significant teaching experience and enthusiastically took on work at his new place. According to contemporaries, the Simbirsk gymnasium had a bad reputation, but thanks to Fyodor Mikhailovich's efforts, it soon became the best in the province. Kerensky had a complex character. Teacher Ivan Yakovlev wrote in his memoirs: "Capable, educated, a good storyteller, possessing the gift of speech. At the same time, envious, intolerant of competition, and eager to harm rivals. His presence instilled fear even in the most desperate hooligans."

The most famous student of Fyodor Mikhailovich was Vladimir Ulyanov, the son of the director of Simbirsk public schools. The Kerensky and Ulyanov families were friendly. Kerensky was from Penza, where Lenin's father worked for a long time at a gymnasium. They had many common topics and acquaintances. After Lenin's father passed away, Fyodor Mikhailovich supported his friend's children. However, he was the one who gave the only four in logic to the certificate of the gold medalist of 1887, Ulyanov.

Nevertheless, after the arrest and execution of Alexander Ulyanov, the gymnasium director gave his brother an excellent recommendation for university admission. Fyodor Mikhailovich did not live to see the triumph of his best student, passing away in 1910. However, his pupils Alexander Kerensky and Vladimir Ulyanov were destined to become bitter enemies. It was under Lenin's leadership that the Provisional Government, headed by Kerensky, was overthrown. But that is a completely different story.