Michel Foucault (1926–1984) is one of the most influential thinkers of the second half of the 20th century. Having experienced many ideological and cultural influences, he managed to find his unique style of thinking and his theme - the study of the relationship of the individual with society, including such public institutions as psychiatry, medicine and the prison system. Rejecting any form of suppression of the individual, Foucault actively protested both against communism and against Western-style democracy. The philosopher's fame led to the fact that his books went beyond “pure science”, becoming genuine intellectual bestsellers in the West, and then in Russia. The first biography of Foucault published in Russian was written by the famous historian of philosophy Didier Eribon. Many hours of conversations with the hero of the book allowed the author to illuminate not only the work of the French thinker, but also his personal life, carefully hidden from outsiders and surrounded by rumors.