Mikhail Nikolayevich Zagoskin (Russian: Михаил Николаевич Загоскин), (July 25, 1789 – July 5, 1852), was a Russian writer of social comedies and historical novels. Zagoskin was born in the village of Ramzay in Penza Oblast. He began his official career as a librarian, then became part of the management of the Imperial Theatres, and lastly served as director of the Moscow Armory Museum. In the 1810s and 20s he published a series of comedies. His best known work, the historical novel Yury Miloslavsky, was published in 1829 and became the first Russian best-seller. His historical novels, including Yury Miloslavsky, were open imitations of Sir Walter Scott, and were immensely popular. Zagoskin attempted to Russify his characters and provided authentic descriptive detail; his "contribution lies