The modern reader, even the most cultured one who shows a keen interest in Russian history, has no idea about the personality of A.P. Bestuzhev-Ryumin is a rather vague idea - perhaps only from the novels of V. Pikul and N. Sorokina, as well as from the film series directed by S. Druzhinina “Midshipmen, forward!” His name was almost completely and undeservedly forgotten - and not so much for some ideological reasons, but rather due to historical negligence and underestimation of his personality. He seemed to dissolve and drown in a historical stream devoted to descriptions of palace coups, the first Russian female empresses and their many favorites. However, in the 40-50s of the 18th century, he was a key figure in Russian politics, and his name was pronounced not only in Russia, but also in all European courts and capitals with respect and servility, and sometimes with fear and hatred. It was Molotov or Gromyko of the 18th century.