The personality of Peter I and the era of transformations he generated is the starting point for most disputes about the historical fate of Russia. The public debate about how exactly the country was changed by its first emperor is made by the work of professional researchers who devoted their careers to studying Peter’s rule. Such a specialist was Dmitry Olegovich Serov (1963–2019) - one of the best experts on this period, working at the junction historical science and legal history. Well aware of the specifics of the work of Peter the Great's institutions, the scientist was at the same time a master of historical biography: the totality of his works allows us to see the era in all its diversity, to better understand its features and significance. Collection of articles by D. O. Serov, dedicated to the 350th anniversary from the birth of Peter I, introduces the reader to the researcher’s works dedicated to lawmaking, institutions and people of that time. These articles, supplemented by memories of the author from his friends and colleagues, reflect the main directions of his scientific work.