The article investigates the history of publication in Russia of the first Russian-English dictionary by I.N. Shishukov, English teacher at the Naval Cadet Corps. Based on archival materials that are being put into scientific circulation for the first time, the life path of I.N. Shishukov and the stages of the publication of the dictionary are traced. Shishukovʼs dictionary has a cultural value as the first (although incomplete) Russian-English dictionary published in Russia. In its publishing history, the characters of the leaders of the Naval Ministry, as well as features of formal and informal relations between the author of the dictionary, the head of the Marine Printing House and the leadership of the Naval Department were clearly reflected.