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 same emperor who decided to carry out a reform that marked the beginning of an entire era of transformation. These memorable dates were the starting point of the discussion about the problems of the history of the “Alexandra era”, about its importance for the political and socio-economic development of Russia. The collection presents the articles of the participants of the international conference held on March 14-15, 2011 . European University in St. Petersburg with the support of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Goznak" . Focus on statesmen of the late 1850s and 1870s. who played a special role in the preparation and implementation of transformations, as well as the perception of events of that time by contemporaries and descendants