Kazimir Waliszewski (1849–1935) is a widely known scientist: historian, economist, sociologist. Studied in Warsaw and Paris, 1875–1884. taught in Krakow, and since 1885 lived and worked permanently in France. In 1929, “for his great contribution to modern historiography” he was awarded by the French Academy of Sciences. Author of a number of books on the history of Russia, among which the most famous are “Peter the Great” (1897), “Daughter of Peter the Great” (1900), “Ivan Terrible" (1904), "Son of Catherine the Great" (1910), "Catherine the Great" (1934). Despite the fact that many of Valishevsky's assessments and conclusions may seem controversial today, "Peter the Great" will certainly be of interest to all lovers of Russian history , primarily due to the huge amount of little-known factual material collected and presented in the book.