A. S. Makarenko and the fate of his legacy in nowadays Russia

Introduction. The problem of educating the younger generation is one of the most important in modern Russian pedagogy. Russian scientists and teachers are carefully studying the legacy of their outstanding predecessors, the teachers of the past. Anton Semyonovich Makarenko (1888-1939) is one of such scientists who have left a unique mark in pedagogical science and practice. The article was written in connection with the 135th anniversary of his birth. The purpose of the article is to show the importance of Makarenko's personality in the development of Russian education. As tasks, the author highlights the characterization and evaluation of his achievements in practical work and pedagogical theory, the presentation of previously unknown biographical data of the teacher, his colleagues and relatives. Materials and methods. In the process of working on the article, the author used the following research methods: analysis of historical and pedagogical, memoir and fiction literature on the topic of the work, biographical, historical and comparative methods, as well as axiological (value) approach to the study of pedagogical innovations by A. S. Makarenko. Results. Up to the present time, Makarenko's personality, his practical activities and literary works cause heated debates among Russian practical teachers and theoretical teachers. The author characterizes Makarenko's achievements as a teacher, manifested in a factually reliable and accurate disclosure of the events of the biography of an outstanding teacher and his selfless efforts in the re-education of pupils and the pedagogization of their social environment. Makarenko is shown as a prominent writer and teacher. In fact, he is the founder of Russian artistic and pedagogical literature ("Pedagogical poem", "Flags on towers", "Book for parents"). Conclusion. The Soviet education had developed itself for decades in the main stream of the pedagogy of Makarenko. But the post-Soviet Russian education seems to avoid the Makarenko’s legacy. A. S. Makarenko is one of the most important teachers in the history of Russian education. His personality and pedagogical heritage need further study by historians of pedagogy.