Chronological table of Griboedov's life and work

Questions of origin and upbringing

The date of birth of the literary classic is January 15, 1795. He was born in Moscow, into a wealthy noble family whose roots went back to Poland. Among Alexander’s ancestors and relatives there were many interesting personalities:

1. Jan Grzybowski, the founder of the branch, moved to Russia back in the 17th century. The Polish surname was converted into Russian and recorded in the chronicles as “Griboyedov”.
2. His son - Fyodor Ioakimovich (Akimovich) - was a Duma clerk under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. He participated in the preparation of the Council Code and, by order of the monarch, compiled “The History of the Tsars and Grand Dukes of the Russian Land.” The latter substantiated the rights of the Romanov family to the throne.
3. Jan's grandson, Semyon Fedorovich, was a Streltsy colonel under Princess Sophia.
4. Alexander’s father was retired Second Major Sergei Ivanovich, and his mother was Anastasia Fedorovna. Their marriage gave birth to their eldest daughter, Maria (who became a famous pianist and harpist) and Alexander. The younger Pavel died in infancy.
5. According to some reports, Alexander Griboyedov was Radishchev’s great-nephew, but the playwright himself denied this fact.

Interesting fact: Anastasia Fedorovna also bore the surname Griboyedov as a girl, but came from the Smolensk branch, which was richer and more noble. All his relatives considered Alexander’s main trait to be seriousness and thoughtfulness. The child received an excellent education:

1. During the first years his mother worked with him. Already at the age of 6, the boy knew 3 foreign languages, in his youth their number grew to 6. He was fluent in English, French, Italian and German, and understood ancient Greek and Latin well. He studied with the best teachers, played the piano and harp very well, and soon began composing music. The child spent the summer months on Khmelita's estate with his uncle, where artists, musicians and writers came to party balls.
2. In 1803-1806, Alexander studied at a boarding school at Moscow University and graduated with honors.
3. In 1806, an 11-year-old boy entered Moscow University, where he stayed for 6 years. Over the years, he received Ph.D. degrees in literature, law, mathematics, and science.

Personality formation

The future playwright was born in Moscow in 1795. His parents came from a noble noble family. The boy's father served in the ranks of the imperial army, and his mother Anastasia was raising children. Grandfather Fyodor Griboedov was considered a descendant of the oldest boyar dynasty. In addition, some historians believe that the poet was the great-nephew of the famous author and philosopher Alexander Radishchev.

The Griboedov family paid great attention to the upbringing and education of children. Classes were taught by the best teachers of that time:

• Bogdan Ion;
• Johann Bule;
• Ivan Petrosilius.

Griboyedov studied foreign languages, philosophy, natural and exact sciences, and the chronology of historical events. A lot of attention was also paid to the creative development of the child. The family regularly went out into society, so from childhood the boy communicated with the most famous musicians, poets and philosophers of the city and country. The young man danced beautifully, played the harp and piano, and recited poetry in different languages.

It is not surprising that at the age of 11 the young man entered the Moscow University Noble Boarding School, and after 3 years received a candidate’s degree in literary sciences. Alexander Sergeevich liked to study, so in 1808 he continued to receive his education at the law department.

In 1812, Griboyedov was only 17 years old. The young man stood out among his peers with his intelligence, education and refined manners. None of those around him doubted that Alexander had a bright future ahead of him. By the way, the great poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin called Griboyedov one of the smartest people in Russia.

With the beginning of the Patriotic War, the future playwright entered the elite hussar regiment, where young men from noble noble families served. However, the young hussars never had to take part in hostilities. Their regiment was often transferred to the rear, and then A. S. Griboedov was forced to leave the army altogether due to his illness.

While serving in the regiment, Alexander first tried himself as a poet and playwright. He wrote and published several short works:

• “Letter from Brest-Litovsk to the publisher”;
• Comedy “Young Spouses”;
• Article "On cavalry reserves."

At the same time, he tried himself as a writer-publicist. Griboyedov later noted that it was during this period that he realized what his main purpose was. He dreamed of becoming a poet .

Beginning of adulthood

In the summer of 1812, 17-year-old Griboyedov enlisted in the volunteer Moscow Hussar Regiment of Count Saltykov. There he met with representatives of prominent noble families - Golitsyn, Tolstoy, Sheremetyev, Efimovsky and others. He was related to many of the young men.

Alexander did not manage to attend the war. The enemy approached Moscow when the regiment had just begun to form, and it was transferred to Kazan. At the end of the year, during Napoleon's retreat, the hussars were moved to Brest-Litovsk, where they were to join the Irkutsk regiment.

Griboyedov did not catch this; at the beginning of September he fell ill, remained in Vladimir and only appeared in the unit towards the end of the year. Until 1815 he served in the rank of cornet under the command of General Kologrivy. The first literary works date back to wartime (1814):

1. “The Young Spouses” is a remake of the French comedy by de Lesser.
2. Historical and journalistic essay “On cavalry reserves.”
3. “Letter from Brest-Litovsk to the publisher,” published in Vestnik Evropy, is a review of the boss’s award ceremony.

In 1815, Griboyedov arrived in St. Petersburg, and the following year he left military service. In the capital, he led an active social life as a young aristocrat: he attended evenings and the theater, studied literature, met the playwright Khmelnitsky and the publisher of “Son of the Fatherland” Grech, joined the Masonic lodge, and then became the founder of a separate one.

In the summer of 1817, Alexander received a position as secretary (after translator) at the College of Foreign Affairs. At this time, he met Pushkin and Kuchelbecker, wrote the poem “Lubochny Theater” and co-authored several theatrical comedies.

Chronological table of Griboedov's life and work

1795 - Alexander Griboedov was born in Moscow into an aristocratic family.
Alexander received his primary education at home. A tutor was invited to teach him. By the age of six, the boy spoke three languages ​​fluently, could read Latin and Ancient Greek, and studied music. 1802-1805 - Griboyedov studies at a boarding school at Moscow University.

1806-1811 - admission to Moscow University. Over the years of study, Griboyedov mastered the course of verbal, legal, ethical-political and mathematical departments.

1812 - when the Patriotic War began, Griboyedov enlisted in a volunteer regiment formed by Count Saltykov. Alexander takes his first steps in literature. He writes essays and translates French comedy.

1814 — Griboyedov’s essays appear in print. The first play for the theater was written - “The Young Spouses”.

1815 — Griboyedov is leaving military service.

1816 — the play “Young Spouses” was staged at the Moscow Theater.

1817 — Griboyedov was enrolled in the College of Foreign Affairs. He meets Pushkin, Chaadaev, Kuchelbecker.

1818 - duel with Yakubovsky. Griboedov was wounded in the hand. Alexander becomes a famous playwright. His comedies are shown in theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Griboyedov goes to Tehran as secretary of the Russian embassy.

1824 - writing the famous play in verse “Woe from Wit”. The comedy exposes the morals of the nobility in feudal Russia. This is one of the most cited works of world literature. The play is still successfully performed in theaters to this day.

1825 — the comedy “Woe from Wit” is banned in St. Petersburg. Griboyedov travels to Kyiv, where he meets the Decembrists. After the Decembrist uprising, Griboedov was arrested.

1826 — Griboyedov is released from arrest.

1827 - diplomatic service. Griboedov takes part in the normalization of relations with Turkey and Persia.

1828 - after signing a peace treaty with Persia, Griboyedov personally presents the text of the treaty to Nicholas I. At an audience with the emperor, he asks for leniency towards the Decembrists.

Receives appointment to Persia as ambassador plenipotentiary.

Marries fifteen-year-old Nino Chavchavadze. His chosen one is from a noble Georgian family. She is a recognized beauty. Griboedov did not take his wife to Persia, because... she was already expecting a child.

1829 — Griboyedov dies defending the Russian mission from religious fanatics. He is buried in Tiflis. Nina Chavchavadze remained faithful to her husband all her life.

1831 - production of “Woe from Wit” in St. Petersburg.

Quarter duel

Ballerina Avdotya Istomina was Sheremetyev’s lover for 2 years and communicated on friendly terms with Griboedov. The latter at that time lived in Zavadovsky’s house. Once the ballerina quarreled with her lover and, while he was away, on November 17, 1817, she went to visit Griboyedov and Zavadovsky for 2 days. Sheremetyev returned, instigated by Yakubovich, and challenged Zavadovsky to a duel. Griboedov became the latter's second. Both duelists and seconds had to shoot.

Sheremetyev fired first - the bullet flew close, but did not hit. Zavadovsky mortally wounded his opponent - he died the next day. Due to the need to take the dying man to a doctor, the duel of the seconds was postponed. It took place only in the fall of 1818 in the Caucasus: Yakubovich was transferred to the service, Griboyedov was passing through.

Admitting his guilt in the death of Sheremetyev, Alexander Sergeevich tried to dissuade his opponent, but he was determined. Yakubovich hit the enemy in the left hand - later it was possible to identify Griboedov’s corpse by the scar. Alexander Sergeevich, noticing that his opponent was aiming at the leg (that is, not going to kill), shot wide. According to researchers, this event became a turning point in the writer’s life and greatly influenced his future choice of activity.

Diplomatic missions

In 1818, Griboyedov received a position as secretary to the diplomat to Persia, Mazarovich. At the end of the summer he went to his place of work, and at the beginning of 1819 he already made his first trip to the court of the Shah. Returning in August, he actively worked for Russian captured soldiers. On the road, Alexander Sergeevich constantly kept a diary, at the same time he completed the poem “Forgive me, Fatherland!” During all the time spent in the East, the playwright’s linguistic list was replenished with Persian, Arabic, Turkish and Georgian languages.

At the beginning of 1820, Griboyedov was again sent to Persia, but after a year and a half, due to a broken arm, he managed to achieve a transfer to Georgia. Here he became close to Kuchelbecker, who had arrived for duty, and began to compile a draft of “Woe from Wit.”

Alexander Sergeevich spent 823-1825 in Russia. He created several small works and completed work on the main play (it was written in 1822-1824). “Woe from Wit” reflects the Moscow secular society of Griboyedov’s time (1808−1824). Unfortunately, a difficult fate awaited the play: due to a quarrel with playwright Fedorov, the author did not want to read it.

In 1825, excerpts from two acts were published, but the censorship did not allow the production. The play was distributed in rewritten copies among the Decembrists, one of whom, Pushchin, brought it to Pushkin in Mikhailovskoye. Only in 1833 the play “Woe from Wit” was published, but with significant reductions in content. The full version was published only in 1862, and according to some sources - in 1875.

At the beginning of the summer of 1825, Griboedov abandoned his trip to Europe and urgently returned to the Caucasus, from where he left six months later. In January 1826, the writer was arrested on suspicion of connections with the Decembrists and placed in a fortress. He was released only six months later, as no evidence was found. A few months later he returned to service:

1. In the Russian-Persian War (1826−1828) he participated in negotiations with the Shah.
2. He took part in the development of a peace route that was extremely beneficial for Russia.
3. He personally delivered a report of peace to St. Petersburg.

For his work, Griboyedov was appointed ambassador to Iran.

Griboedov's career

In 1816, Griboyedov returned to St. Petersburg. Public service was not part of his plans; he led a secular lifestyle. The young man attended various events, went to theatrical performances and balls. Because of this lifestyle, he was soon drawn into a scandalous story. Griboedov took part in the duel as a second and was even wounded in the arm.

Diplomatic Service

Anastasia Fedorovna, wanting to save her son’s reputation, sought his admission to the diplomatic service. In 1818, Alexander Sergeevich was appointed to the position of secretary at the embassy in Persia. Work in the East was very difficult. Alexander dealt with the affairs of Russian soldiers who were captured in Iran, and in 1821 he was transferred to serve in Georgia. Such activities depressed the diplomat. Soon he returned to Moscow, where he spent several years.

In 1826, Alexander Sergeevich was arrested on suspicion of assisting the Decembrists. This was due to the fact that among the rebels on Senate Square there were many friends and relatives of the diplomat. Despite the fact that Griboyedov indeed had similar views on the political situation in the country as the Decembrists, no evidence of his involvement in the conspiracy was found.

In the same year, Griboyedov was sent to serve in Tiflis. It was as part of this delegation that he was able to prove himself as a brilliant diplomat and wise strategist. The diplomat participated in the development of the famous Turkmanchay Peace Treaty, seeking favorable terms of cooperation for the Russian Empire. He personally delivered the text of this document to Nicholas the First, for which he was awarded at court.

Musical and literary achievements

Griboyedov was a virtuoso pianist. Friends often asked the young man to play several pieces on the piano. Alexander often performed his own works, which were particularly melodic. Several waltzes have survived to this day and are studied in music classes.

Historians believe that the author wrote several more serious musical works. But unfortunately, the notes of these melodies have not been preserved.

Griboedov gained all-Russian fame from the comedy “Woe from Wit,” which is still included in the compulsory school curriculum. The work ridiculed the capital's nobles, who were distinguished by their old conservative worldview. The main character of the work was Chatsky, a young, educated nobleman who was not indifferent to the fate of the Motherland. The prototype of the main character was the Decembrist Yakushkin.

They refused to stage the work, and the comedy was also not allowed to be published. However, the play caused such a resonance in society that it was copied by hand many times and passed from one person to another. After a short time, it spread throughout Russia with quotes and popular expressions.

Standing o is not the only work that occupies a worthy place in Griboyedov’s work. The author managed to write:

Numerous essays, personal diaries, letters and other works by Griboyedov deserve no less attention. The diplomat also wrote scientific and political works, treatises and articles.

Last years

On his way to work, the writer spent several months in Tiflis, where on September 3, 1828 he married Princess Nina Chavchavadze. He first met the girl back in 1822, when she was 10 years old - the playwright gave her music lessons. Returning in 1828, Alexander Sergeevich fell in love with a 15-year-old beauty.

Soon the young husband was again forced to go to Persia. Nina accompanied him, but was already pregnant and did not tolerate the journey well. Griboyedov left her in Tehran at the end of 1828. Alexander Sergeevich himself went to Feth Ali Shah at the Russian embassy to resolve problems with the implementation of the peace treaty.

On February 11, 1829, a crowd of religious fanatics, dissatisfied with the increased hardships, attacked the embassy and killed everyone. Only the hidden secretary Maltsev survived. The Shah sent his grandson with rich gifts to settle the scandal.

The news of her husband's death devastated Nina: she had a premature birth and the child died. The girl never remarried and mourned for her husband all her life, outliving him by almost 30 years. Her name and nickname - the Black Rose of Tiflis - became a legend during her lifetime.

short biography

The dates of Griboyedov’s life are 1795−1829, only 34 years. During his life, he wrote several plays, poems and epigrams, but “Woe from Wit” received the greatest popularity - it is still staged in theaters, and the phrases have become catchphrases.

A chronological table of Griboyedov’s life will help you briefly study important dates.

Griboedov is known as the author of the play “Woe from Wit,” expressions and catchphrases from which have long been popular among the people. Unfortunately, his early death interrupted all the playwright’s plans to continue his literary path.

Main periods of life

From 1812 to 1815 he was a hussar in the Moscow regiment. And although he did not have to participate in battles, Alexander seriously thought about the socio-political situation of Russia and its future. This partly determined his future fate.

A chronological table of Griboedov’s life in the post-war period is presented below.