A. Ferguson (1723-1816) - a representative of a brilliant galaxy of Scottish thinkers of the Enlightenment. His main book, The Experience of the History of Civil Society, was published in 1767 and quickly gained European fame, having survived 7 editions during the life of the author. In 1817-1819 an incomplete Russian translation of Ferguson's book appeared. Now for the first time the full text of the book is published with some additions made by the author in the last lifetime edition of 1814. For teachers and students of higher educational institutions, for all interested in the history of social thought.