Conceptual development of Russian Universities in the 18th century
In the article the «idea of university» in Russia considered. Scientific and educational ideals in the 18<sup>th</sup> century was reflected in the creation of the Academy of Sciences and the Academic University. The understanding of the organization of the scientific community and its tasks, as documented in Laurentius Blumenstrost’s Project (1724), reflected both the real situation in the European «Republique des Lettres» and the difficulties in development of the Academy and University. «Hybrid» structure combined both the Academy of Sciences and the University, with the of expert and educational functions, at the same time the name of the Academy was given to legitimize it. At the same time, this structure did not have the opportunity to appropriate academic degrees, which deprived it of its usefulness in the eyes of the participants of this institution. Efforts of Lomonosov in the 1760’s directed to public legitimization of the Academic University, in accordance with his understanding of the significance of this structure.