Lives of the Despot Stefan Lazarević of Constantine Philosopher is, as the author says, the first example of secular biography in the old Serbian literature. By aspiring after the preciseness of historians, and with stylistic tradition of medieval biographers, Constantine's work represents a final stage in the development of our old biographies from hagiographies toward the history. The author puts in the central plan the personality of despot Stefan with all its contrasts, wisdom and charity, patronage and enlightenment, and cruelty and firmness in the struggle were emphasized. The writer revives his telling by the plenty of personalities and events, especially chosen episodes, and background of historic events. Thus, his sense for the detail is being expressed, and the figure of despot Stefan, ideal ruler, remains the characteristic literary character of medieval literature.