Abstract: The subject of the study was the theoretical heritage of prominent Russian statesmen of the second half of the XIX century – Vasily Nikolaevich Leshkov (1810-1881) and Vladimir Matveevich Hessen (1868-1920). The initial position of the concepts of "public law" and "rule of law" developed by them is the thesis that in the conditions of the formation of the rule of law, it is necessary to fully develop the institution of civil society – the sphere of manifestation of initiatives of free citizens and voluntarily formed organizations. The causal relationship of the problem of interaction between the state, society and the individual is revealed; the ideas of V. N. Leshkov and V. M. Hessen about the subjects of "public law" and "subjective law" are characterized. The concepts of "public law" and "rule of law", reflected in the theoretical heritage of V. N. Leshkov and V. M. Hessen, which has not received proper understanding to date, are characterized. An assessment is given to the conclusions of V. N. Leshkov and V. M. Gessen that society is considered as the most important subject of management activity in the state. It is concluded that in the conditions of building a developed civil society in the Russian Federation, the concepts of "public law" and "rule of law" require a comprehensive analysis and clarification of their significance for the transformation of the state-legal reality of modern Russia.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the relevant part of the theoretical-legal heritages of the renowned Russian legal expert of the XIX century – Vasily Nikolaevich Leshkov (1810-1881); establishment and evolution of Leshkov’s state-legal views, as well as his theory of public law. The article gives characteristics to the scholar’s contribution into the development of the theory of police (administrative) law, views upon the peculiarities of the Russian national legal system, essence of the Russian foundations of law, and mechanism of regulation of public relations. The subject and method of research, as well as positioning of the research problem define the scientific novelty. The author makes an attempt of the problem-theoretical reconstruction and interpretation of the theoretical-legal heritage of the Russian police scientist V. N. Leshkov, focusing attention on his study of the questions regarding the role of society within the system of government administration. Until the present time Leshkov’s theoretical heritage did not undergo complex analysis, as the formulated by the scholar concepts did lose their relevance.