The work contains a historical essay on the history of Russian spelling of the 18th - 20th centuries; basic documents and legislative acts reflecting the path of Russian spelling to the reform of 1917, and post-reform projects for its improvement; chronology of spelling publications for three centuries and materials of the beginning of the 20th century that are little available to the modern reader, the need for which arose in discussions on improving Russian spelling. Designed for everyone interested in Russian writing.