Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin is the famous Russian writer, publicist, and historian. The twelve-volume “History of the Russian State,” to writing which Karamzin devoted the last 22 years of his life, covers the period from the earliest times up to the beginning of the 17th century. It is not only a significant historical work, but also a wonderful literary piece. Karamzin introduced much new to understanding the general course of Russian history and to assessing individual historical events. He revealed, through psychological analysis, the ideological and moral motives behind the actions of historical figures. Believing that the history of humankind is the history of world progress—built on the struggle of reason against delusion, enlightenment against ignorance—Karamzin saw the historian’s task as guiding people in their public activity.