The article is dedicated to the memory of the famous Russian historian L. E. Shepelev and his achievements in the field of the special historical scientific disciplines. The article analyzes his work in the history of state institutions, source studies, heraldry, and archival heuristics. The greatest importance have his books and articles on the history of Russian officials and on the archival heuristics. L. E. Shepelev was the first who introduced the term «archival heuristics» and substantiated its basic principles.