An outstanding linguist V. F. Ivanova is represented in the article from different aspects – as a scientist, teacher, lecturer, the initiator of teaching manuals publication, a member of the editorial board of the journal «Russian Language at School». The article describes the life and creative activity of the scientist, the contribution of V. F. Ivanova’s works into the development of various branches of linguistics, with the writing theory, graphics and orthography coming first. A detailed analysis reveals the importance of V. F. Ivanova’s research materials for the development of the general writing theory and the theory of Russian orthography, their role in the study of the history and principles of Russian graphics and orthography and in the graphical systems of other languages of the peoples of Russia. The theory of writing presented in V. F. Ivanova’s works is compared in the article with the views of other scientists belonging to Petersburg phonological school. The author proves that the basic issues of the theory of writing, the notions of graphics and especially orthography presented in V. F. Ivanova’s works are of exceptional importance for the development of the Cyrillic writing systems of the peoples of Russia.