October 10, 1802, by rescript of Emperor Alexander I, a military educational institution was established: the Corps of Pages of His Imperial Majesty. The history of the Corps of Pages is inextricably linked with the development of military education in Russia. It was preceded by the organization of a semi-military - semi-civil educational institution under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, designed to educate the pages of the imperial court. Over time, the Corps of Pages acquired the status of an elite educational institution along with Moscow University and the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. From its walls came a whole galaxy of outstanding military and government figures, as well as scientists, artists, and musicians. Historical portraits of some of them are presented in this essay. For a wide range of readers and everyone interested in the military history and military culture of Russia.