The book is dedicated to one of the turning points in the development of Russian culture and science - the 18th century, the "age of enlightenment." In the center of the story is the great Russian encyclopedic scientist M.V. Lomonosov, whose 275th birthday is celebrated in November 1986. The book includes N. M. Sovetov's novel "Raising a Chapter," the works of M. V. Lomonosov and his memoirs, materials about the life and work of a whole galaxy of talented Russian people of the 18th century - scientists, educators, artists.