In 2011, only a few days separated the 150th anniversary of the abolition of serfdom in Russia from the 180th anniversary of the death of Alexander II, the very emperor who decided to carry out the reform that marked the beginning of an entire era of transformation. These memorable dates became the starting point of the discussion about the problems of the history of the "Alexander era," about its significance for the political and socio-economic development of Russia. The collection presents articles of the participants of the international conference held on March 14-15, 2011 by the European University in St. Petersburg with the support of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Goznak." The focus of attention is on statesmen of the late 1850s-1870s, who played a special role in the preparation and implementation of transformations, as well as the perception of the events of that time by contemporaries and descendants.