Lermontov’s application to study at the Moscow University and petition for dismissal from Moscow University.

On 21 August 1830, the board of the Imperial Moscow University heard a petition from the “student of the University Noble Boarding School Mikhail Lermontov” for his acceptance as a self-supporting student in the department of morality and politics.
“I come from the nobility, being the son of Captain Yuri Petrovich Lermantov [sic]; I am 16 years old; at the University Noble Boarding School, I studied various languages and areas of science in the senior section of the upper class, but now I wish to continue my studies at the Imperial Noble University, which is why I humbly ask its board to allow me to enroll as a self-supporting student in the department of morality and politics, and to attend the lectures of the professors. Hereto is attached a certificate of my lineage and education. I, Michael Lermantov, have set my hand to this petition.”

In the spring of 1832 Lermontov decided to leave Moscow University, after having gone through some personal hardship. “For family reasons”, he moved to St. Petersburg, where he intended to continue his studies at the university there. But since the offer required him to repeat the first year, Lermontov decided instead to begin military service.