The book "Contemporaries, 7th Series. Literary studies and portraits" by Jules Lemaitre is a collection of literary essays in which the author examines various aspects and features of the life and work of prominent writers and poets of his time. In each studio, Lemaître deeply analyzes the writer's creative path and inner world, creating a bright and non-trivial portrait of each character. With the help of refined words and accurate analyses, the author tries to reveal the essence of the literary heritage of his contemporaries and reveal new depths of their talent to the reader. This book will be a valuable contribution to the cultural heritage and will help to broaden the understanding of the literary life of the 19th century.