The authors of the article drawn on a wide range of historical materials examine the course of life and the teaching as well as research activities of the fi rst historian of nuclear, biological and chemical defence corps of Russia, Major General, Professor Aleksandr de Lazari, who signifi cantly contributed to the development of the country’s polemology and the higher military education system of Soviet Russia in the 1930s and fell victim to the Stalinist repressions. The authors study his biography, and they come to the conclusion that it has some similarities with Russian offi cers, intellectuals, scientists and teachers at a turn of the history of Russia. However, Aleksandr de Lazari fully shared the tragic fate of the nobility, and perhaps of his generation, and his country on the whole. It is concluded in the article that his numerous military-historical and other scientifi c works have been topical and remain so for the modern era. Keywords: military history, military academy, General Staff, chemical weapons, World War I, offi cer, scientifi c works.