Memoirs of E. A. Masalskaya-Surina (nee Shakhmatova, 1863-1940) are dedicated to her brother, the outstanding Russian philologist Alexei Alexandrovich Shakhmatov (1864-1920). The writings are talented and lively, the memoirs introduce the reader into the family circle, where brother and sister received the skills of hard work, a responsible attitude to life and an excellent education. The outstanding abilities of the young man were noticed in academic circles. Famous philologists V.F. Miller, F.F. Fortunatov, F.I. Buslaev, F.E. Korsh became his teachers.