Vasily Ivanovich Bazhenov (1737-1799) was an outstanding Russian architect and Freemason, holding the position of actual state councilor. He became the first educated architect in Russia and a significant figure in 18th-century art. He was born in the Malo-Yaroslavets district of Kaluga province in the family of a deacon of the palace church.

Bazhenov received his initial education at the Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy in Moscow. His talent for architecture manifested early: instead of playing, he drew buildings, churches, and tombstones. He studied at the architectural school of D. Ukhtomsky, who helped him enroll in the gymnasium at Moscow University, where he was immediately placed in the senior class. In 1755, Bazhenov was transferred to the university, and then he continued his studies at the gymnasium of the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg and in the architectural class of the Academy of Arts. He became one of the first students of the new Academy and one of the first to be sent abroad for training.

In 1759, while still a student, Bazhenov developed a project for a stone church for the estate of Prince Cherkassky. His mentor approached Count Shuvalov for financial support for the student, and Bazhenov was given the position of architectural assistant with a salary.

From 1760 to 1762, Bazhenov studied at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in Paris and honed his skills in Italy. Upon returning to St. Petersburg in 1765, he passed an exam confirming his knowledge but was only awarded the title of academician, which disappointed him.

Count Orlov offered Bazhenov a job in the artillery department with the rank of captain, entrusting him with the design of an arsenal. The Empress, on Orlov's recommendation, involved him in the project of the Institute for Noble Maidens at the Smolny Monastery, but the project was not realized.

From 1767, Bazhenov worked in Moscow at the Expedition of Kremlin Buildings. He developed two major projects: the Kremlin Palace and the palace in Tsaritsyno. Both projects were halted by Catherine II. After these failures, Bazhenov returned to Moscow and opened an Architectural School.

Bazhenov's connection with the Freemasons and his closeness to Grand Duke Paul Petrovich caused discontent with the Empress. In 1792, he moved to St. Petersburg, where he took the position of architect at the Admiralty. With Paul's ascension to the throne, his life changed: in 1799, he became the first vice-president of the Academy of Arts. However, Bazhenov soon passed away before he could realize his plans.

Bazhenov's archives are lost, raising doubts about his authorship, but his contribution to architectural theory is undeniable.