Alexander Grigorievich Stoletov, a renowned Russian physicist, was born on August 10, 1839, in a merchant family from Vladimir. In 1849, he entered the Vladimir gymnasium, and after graduating, decided to dedicate his life to mathematics and physics. In 1856, Stoletov enrolled in the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics at Moscow University, where he studied for free and received a state scholarship.

After graduating from the university in 1860, he went abroad for scientific work two years later. However, in 1866, he returned to Russia and in 1867 began teaching physical geography and mathematical physics at Moscow University. At the same time, he worked on his master's thesis on electrostatics, which he successfully defended in May 1869, earning the title of associate professor.

In 1871, Stoletov began working on his doctoral dissertation, researching the magnetic properties of iron. A year later, he defended it, receiving the title of full professor, and became known for his work "Research on the Magnetization Function of Soft Iron." Soon, a physics laboratory was established at the university, which he equipped. It was the first educational and research physics laboratory in Russia. His scientific achievements brought him international recognition, and in 1881 he represented Russia at the First World Congress of Electricians in Paris.

Starting in 1888, Stoletov began studying the photoelectric effect discovered by Hertz and developed an apparatus to investigate this phenomenon. In 1896, he suffered from erysipelas, from which he barely recovered, but soon fell ill again. Alexander Grigorievich Stoletov passed away on May 27, 1896, in Moscow from pneumonia.