This paper gives insight into the context of how Lomonosov developed into a scientist and a physicist; reviews his major achievements in physics; discusses his epistemological method, and explores the major reasons for his tragedy as a physicist. The role of the poetically interpreted knowledge and science of nature in Lomonosov’s popularization activities is emphasized. The paper traces Lomonosov’s route from science and its popularization to the organization of higher and secondary education in Russia. How the perception of his genius changes with time is discussed.

PACS: 01.55.+b, 01.65.+g (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0181.201111e.1187 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2011/11/e/ 000300172000005 2011PhyU...54.1147S Citation: Shcherbakov R N "'Geniuses like this are very rare today...'" Phys. Usp. 54 1147–1154 (2011) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 24th, September 2010, revised: 29th, May 2011, accepted: 13th, September 2011 Оригинал: Щербаков Р Н «„Нынче такие гении весьма редки...“» УФН 181 1187–1194 (2011); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0181.201111e.1187 M.V. Lomonosov is author of Physics-Uspekhi