Saratov State University

The article eximines the basic stages of evolution of the SSU. The main attention focused at the two sides of this process: the buildings construction and perfection of educational process. The author discribes how the university became one of the largest educational centers with more then 30 thousands students and post-graduates and more then a dozen Departments and Institutes now, from the small educational institution located in a single building with just 92 students.

Memories of Professor Anatoliy Avrus are devoted his way in historical science. He tells how he became interested in history and why did he join the history department of Saratov State University. He shares his own experience of choosing topics for research, writing dissertations and working in archives. The author gives some advice to young researchers who start their way in historical science