This article is dedicated to translations of works by Russian classics (A. Pushkin, F. Dostoevsky, L. Tolstoy, A. Chekhov, B. Pasternak) into English carried out by prominent British and American translators and Slavic scholars in the 20th and 21st centuries. The emergence of new translations throughout that period has become a significant factor of cultural life in English-speaking countries. A brief historical overview of the work of British and American translators indicates the main stages in the translation of Russian classic works into English, as well as helping to trace trends in the evolution of the literary tastes of English-speaking readers and their perception of the creative heritage of Russian writers. British and American literary societies have deep interest in eternal themes raised by Russian classical literature. Special attention is being paid to reviews in English-language press of those translations. Recognition of intellectual importance, deep ideological richness of content, psychologism, perfection of style and art form of works by Russian classical writers shows the role of Russian culture, which has significantly contributed to aesthetic, emotional and ethical experience of mankind.