The book is a comprehensive analysis of the evolution and main stages of the formation of the Russian diplomatic service. It presents the main aspects of its emergence, an assessment of the reforms carried out - the successes and failures of changes in the structure of the diplomatic department. The procedure for passing the diplomatic service, the procedure for selecting diplomats in historical retrospect, the quantitative and qualitative component of personnel policy, the system of training and retraining of diplomats, as well as the rotation of diplomatic personnel are shown. For undergraduate students in the direction of "International Relations" and "Foreign Regional Studies," as well as to study disciplines in the history of diplomacy.