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There is a legend that the midwife who delivered Maria Lermontova (née Arsenyeva) predicted that her son would die a violent death. In the 27th year of his life, the famous Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov actually died in a duel at the hands of his long-time friend Nikolai Martynov. The fatal duel took place on 27 (15 old style) July 1841, but even after 180 years there are still disputes about what the duel was about and what really happened at the time of its conduct. The Presidential Library presents publications that will help shed light on some of the questions concerning one of the most tragic events of the XIX century.

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235 years ago, on 27 July 1784, Denis Vasilyevich Davydov was born in Moscow. A military career was destined for him from birth. His father was a brigadier V. D. Davydov, who served under A. V. Suvorov himself. Denis spent his childhood in a military camp and... in Borodino, the estate of his father and grandfather.

On the Presidential Library portal there is a collection "Patriotic War of 1812", which tells about the outstanding commanders of those years, among whom Denis Davydov certainly has a prominent place. A separate selection is devoted to the guerrilla movement, the originator of which again was our hero.

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10 July marks the 260th anniversary of Pyotr Bagration's birth. The Presidential Library shares materials about the great Russian commander.

"Bagration is the best general of the Russian army," Napoleon said of him. "Undaunted in battle, indifferent in danger," the military commander Alexei Yermolov characterised him. "Bagration is inimitable in his momentary inspirations..." - Major General, Decembrist Mikhail Fonvizin recalled about the hero on the battlefield. Vissarion Belinsky called Bagration "the Lion of the Russian army". The soldiers spoke of their commander in one word: "Eagle!"

The future General of Infantry, the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, Prince Peter Ivanovich Bagration, came from the oldest family of Georgia.

At the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812 Peter Bagration, commanding the 2nd Western Army, made an unprecedented march of 800 kilometres and in 35 days brought the army to Smolensk. Joining the 1st Western Army of Mikhail Barclay de Tolly foiled Napoleon's plans to defeat the Russian armies separately. The unique documents - reports, reports and letters of Bagration to Alexander I, sent in July - August 1812, are availble on the portal of the Presidential Library.

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"Bagration is the best general of the Russian army," Napoleon said of him. "Undaunted in battle, indifferent in danger," the military commander Alexei Yermolov characterised him. "Bagration is inimitable in his momentary inspirations..." - Major-General, Decembrist Mikhail Fonvizin recalled about the hero on the battlefield. Vissarion Belinsky called Bagration "the Lion of the Russian army". The soldiers spoke of their commander in one word: "Eagle!"

The future General of Infantry, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, Prince Peter Ivanovich Bagration, the 260th anniversary of whose birth is celebrated on 10 July 2025, came from the oldest family of Georgia.

At the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, Peter Bagration, commanding the 2nd Western Army, made an unprecedented march of 800 kilometres and in 35 days led the army to Smolensk. Joining the 1st Western Army of Mikhail Barclay de Tolly foiled Napoleon's plans to defeat the Russian armies separately. The unique documents - reports, reports and letters of Bagration to Alexander I, sent in July - August 1812, can be found on the portal of the Presidential Library.

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