The name of one of Peter the Great's closest associates, Yakov Vilimovich Bruce, the first Russian scientist, diplomat, major military and statesman, despite the enormous role he played in Peter's transformations, is little known to a wide circle of readers. The first president of the Berg and Manufactory Collegium, who laid the foundations of Russian industry, the founder of Russian artillery, one of the founders of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, Jacob Bruce was the most enlightened of Peter’s entourage. Meanwhile, this learned man became a favorite hero of folk tales, myths and legends , depicting him as a warlock, magician and astrologer. So who was Jacob Bruce really? Why was his name forgotten by historians? These and other equally interesting questions are answered by this book. sign of information products 16+