This article attempts to define encyclopedia of law as a science developed in the Russian Empire over the period from XIX century to 1917. The author employs dialectical, formal-dogmatic, systemic, comparative-historical methods. The source base contains monographs, textbooks and lections of the leading legal experts on the encyclopedia of law, theory of state and law. Currently, the historical-legal science does not pay due attention to encyclopedia of law. The scientific novelty is substantiated by the subject and methods of research. Comparison is conducted on the subject and object of research, methods, tasks and functions of the science of encyclopedia of law, as well as theory of state and law. Encyclopedia of law features the interpretation of legal science in its common grounds and organic unity; represents an overview on law connected by the single plot with various branches of law, and gives characteristics to the key provisions of law. A conclusion is made that the science of encyclopedia of law fulfilled mainly propaedeutic functions, and was an originator of the modern science of the theory of state and law. Further development and transformation of encyclopedia of law into the science of theory of state and law was substantiated by the advancement of other humanities – philosophy, sociology, etc. and historical events of the early XX century, which set new tasks and goals for legal science. The research results actualize the experience of development of the theory of law, as well as allow improving the theory of law based on the ideas and approaches of encyclopedia of law.

The subject of this research is the identification of legal views of the German philosopher and jurist Heinrich Ahrens. The source base is comprised of the scientific works of G. Ahrens and other legal scholars. The historical-legal science does not pay sufficient attention to the ideas and persona of Heinrich Ahrens. He was famous during his lifetime, but almost forgotten afterwards. The Russian legal science lacks a monographic research of the political-legal concept of H. Ahrens. Methodological framework consists of the general scientific methods: systemic, logical, historical, comparative; as well as special methods: historical-legal, comparative-legal, formal-legal, and portrait-biographical. The scientific novelty is defined by the subject and methods of research. The central idea of Heinrich Ahrens’ encyclopedia of law is the interpretation of the science of law in its organic unity. The author examines the concept of law and system of law in the scholar’s perception; as well as underlines the prominent figure of H. Ahrens who contributed to development to the science of encyclopedia of law. The scientific works of Heinrich Ahrens have not been previously subjected to systemic and comprehensive examination, while the proposed ideas and concept remain relevant until the present.