The book tells about the long-term development of scientific ideas about the nature of both the electron itself - an elementary nuclear particle, and electricity in general. The historical picture of events related to scientific discoveries and with the development of models and theories in the field of electricity and magnetism is unfolded before the reader. The review of these events focuses on discoveries dating back to the end of the past and the beginning of this century. This includes the discovery of cathode and X-rays, a description of classical experiments conducted by outstanding physicists, the discovery of radioactivity and atomicity of an electric charge, a description of the latest advances in electron physics. In addition, the book touches on related issues of physics, which significantly expands the reader's horizons, without, however, requiring special training from him.