The name of the outstanding Russian thinker, publicist and educator Mikhail Nikiforovich Katkov (1818–1887), one of the founders of political journalism, publisher of the popular and respected Russian Bulletin and Moskovskiye Vedomosti in the Fatherland and abroad, has long attracted the attention of researchers. Of particular interest are the years of formation of his personality, the time when a person makes an internal choice and finds himself. The reader has the opportunity to get acquainted with the world of dreams, romantic attachments and the circle of friends and comrades of M. N. Katkov. From the pages of the book we see vivid images of prominent figures of Russian culture, poets, writers, scientists and journalists who influenced the life choices and worldview of the future publicist and ideologist of Russian statehood. The publication is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of M. N. Katkov and is addressed to a wide readership .