Historical Portraits

«History is not a teacher, but a supervisor: it teaches nothing, but severely punishes for ignorance of the lessons.» This statement by the great Russian historian, professor of Moscow University Vasily Osipovich Klyuchevsky has long gone into the people, embodying not only the traditions of domestic historiography but also the Russian person's attitude towards history. A distinguished professor, a student and successor of S. M. Solovyov, Klyuchevsky gained fame in academic circles as a brilliant lecturer who gathered large audiences. He was an active member of many scientific societies, but history and teaching it to young generations remained the meaning of his life - Klyuchevsky gave his last lecture six months before his death and worked right up to the end on articles about serfdom. In an era when historical science achieved unprecedented social significance, the great historian could not voluntarily leave his high post. Among the geniuses of the 19th century - the «golden age» of Russian culture - V. O. Klyuchevsky rightly occupies a place alongside A. S. Pushkin, L. N. Tolstoy, P. I. Tchaikovsky, and V. G. Belinsky. He became a nationwide favorite and pride of Russia during his lifetime. This edition introduces the reader to Klyuchevsky the portraitist - in his monumental «Historical Portraits» a whole gallery of images is collected: among them are the rulers of Russia - Ivan the Terrible, Peter I, empresses Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine II; and statesmen - princes V. V. Golitsyn and A. D. Menshikov; and luminaries of Russian poetry - A. S. Pushkin, M. Y. Lermontov. The series «Russian Imperial Library» is a grand collection of outstanding examples of domestic thought and literature. The publications included in the series represent the best of the great spiritual heritage of our country. These are works created by famous historians, scientists, great statesmen and dedicated to the millennial history of Russia, its culture and art, military glory, centuries-old popular customs and deeds of outstanding representatives of our Motherland. A wonderful opportunity to form your home library from the great works about a great country. Each book in the series is richly illustrated with numerous color and black-and-white illustrations that allow you to fully see what constitutes the treasure trove of the cultural heritage of our country!