Vladimir Sergeevich Pecherin (1807–1885), romantic poet, demonic figure in Herzen’s Past and Thoughts, author of the poem “The Triumph of Death” parodied by Dostoevsky, “the first Russian political emigrant” (L. Kamenev) and “one of the first Russian intellectuals" (V.S. Frank), a Russian Catholic who found support in the philosophy of Stoicism, remained in the memory of posterity, as he dreamed, thanks to “one printed page” addressed to Russia - autobiographical notes written in Ireland in 1860— 1870s and collected in the book “Grave Notes. Apologia pro vita mea.” Pecherin’s memoirs reflected the history of Russian thought throughout the 19th century, and the self-portrait of the “superfluous man” he created complements the gallery of images of classical Russian literature. This study is devoted to the analysis of the complex interweaving of Pecherin’s real experience with his ideas about himself. The book is intended for Russian readers.