Konshin Nikolai Yakovlevich (20.09.1864-01.08.1937) was a Russian ethnographer, local historian, and historian. He was arrested for participating in the revolutionary movement among students and was exiled to Zaysan. Later, he moved to Semey and engaged in the study of the lifestyle, customs, and oral literature of the Kazakh people. Konshin led a local historians' circle organized by the Statistical Committee of Semey Province, which laid the foundation for the establishment of the Semey branch of the Russian Geographical Society (opened on March 31, 1902). While serving as the secretary of the statistical committee, Konshin collected rich materials related to the social and economic life of the Kazakh steppe, its natural resources, history, geography, and archaeology.

In 1897, under Konshin's leadership, a census was conducted in Semey Province. He wrote more about this in his work titled "The First General Census Conducted Among the Inhabitants of the Russian Empire." Based on archival materials and statistical data, Konshin published essays on the history of Semey Province, the social and economic conditions of its inhabitants, the transition of Kazakhs to a sedentary lifestyle, and migration issues in the region. As a result of several expeditions aimed at collecting materials related to the life of the Kazakhs, Konshin published "An Essay on the Economic Life of the Kazakhs of Semey Province" (1901). This work discusses the settlement of Kazakhs and Russians in the Irtysh Valley and the Semey region, among other topics. In 1890, Konshin met and maintained close relations with Abai Kunanbaev. His works include "Notes on the Kazakh Famine," "Journey to Shughysak," "Zemstvo and the Kazakhs," "A New Project for the Land Structure of the Kazakhs," "Dangers for Settlers in the Steppe Region," and others. Konshin was the editor of the "Memorial Books of Semey Province" (1897–1902). He contributed significantly to the organization of the Semey branch of the Russian Geographical Society in Western Siberia and led that branch. He was elected as a deputy to the State Duma from Semey Province. Nikolai Yakovlevich was highly educated and spoke German, English, and French.

For his works on the history of the steppe region and for opening a branch of the geographical society in Semey, he was awarded the silver medal of the Central Geographical Society.

N.Ya. Konshin passed away on August 1, 1867, at the age of 73.