Alexander Pushkin

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Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (Russian: Алекса́ндр Серге́евич Пу́шкин

6 June [O.S. 26 May] 1799 – 10 February [O.S. 29 January] 1837) was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist of the Romantic era. He is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature.

Early Life

Pushkin was born into Russian nobility in Moscow. His father, Sergei Lvovich Pushkin, was a retired major from the military, and his mother, Nadezhda Ossipovna Gannibal, was a descendant of Abram Petrovich Gannibal, an African who was brought to Russia and became a prominent military engineer and general.

Education

Pushkin received his early education at home, primarily from French tutors. In 1811, he was enrolled in the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, a prestigious school for the children of the nobility. It was here that he began to write poetry and became acquainted with the works of Lord Byron, whose style greatly influenced his own.

Literary Career

Pushkin's first major work was the poem "Ruslan and Ludmila," published in 1820. This work was notable for its use of Russian folklore and its departure from the classical forms that had dominated Russian literature. Pushkin's subsequent works, including "The Prisoner of the Caucasus," "The Robber Brothers," and "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai," further established his reputation as a leading poet.

In 1823, Pushkin began work on his verse novel, "Eugene Onegin," which would become one of his most famous works. The novel, written in a unique stanza form known as the "Onegin stanza," is a social commentary on the life of the Russian aristocracy.

Exile and Later Life

Pushkin's outspoken views on social and political issues led to his exile from St. Petersburg in 1820. He spent the next several years in various locations, including the Caucasus, Crimea, and Moldova. During this period, he wrote some of his most famous works, including "The Gypsies" and "The Bronze Horseman."

In 1826, Pushkin was allowed to return to St. Petersburg, where he continued to write prolifically. His later works include the historical novel "The Captain's Daughter" and the play "Boris Godunov."

Death

Pushkin's life was cut short when he was fatally wounded in a duel with Georges-Charles de Heeckeren d'Anthès, a French officer serving with the Chevalier Guard Regiment. Pushkin died on 10 February 1837 and was buried on the grounds of the Svyatogorsky Monastery near his family estate in Mikhailovskoye.

Legacy

Pushkin's influence on Russian literature cannot be overstated. He is often referred to as the "father of Russian literature" and has inspired countless writers, including Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Vladimir Nabokov. His works have been translated into numerous languages and continue to be studied and celebrated around the world.

Related Pages

• Eugene Onegin
• Boris Godunov (play)
• The Captain's Daughter
• Russian literature
• Romanticism
• Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum
• Arap of Peter the Great