Book by P.A. Viskovaty belongs to the classic works of the 19th century. The researcher relied on the testimony of people who personally knew the poet, and this work is rightfully considered the primary source for studying the life and work of Lermontov. Viskovaty completed his “Complete Works” of the poet with a biography of Lermontov, timed to coincide with the publication of the book on the 50th anniversary of the poet’s death. According to Viskovaty, he was prompted to this main work of his life by “that passionate love” that from childhood tied him to the memory of Lermontov.