June 6, 1799 – February 10, 1837 (37 years)
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Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin (1799-1837) - great Russian poet, prose writer, playwright. The author of immortal works in verse and prose: the novels “Eugene Onegin”, “Dubrovsky”, the famous poems “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, “Prisoner of the Caucasus”, the story “The Queen of Spades” and many others, as well as fairy tales for children.
The material was prepared jointly with a teacher of the highest category, Kuchmina Nadezhda Vladimirovna.
Experience as a teacher of Russian language and literature - 27 years.
early years
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin was born on June 6 (May 26, old style) 1799 in Moscow into a family of an untitled noble family. The poet’s great-grandfather on his mother’s side was the African Abram Petrovich Hannibal, who was a pupil and servant of Tsar Peter I.
In addition to Alexander Sergeevich, the family had two more children - son Lev and daughter Olga. From 1805 to 1810, Pushkin spent a lot of time (especially in the summer) with his grandmother in the village of Zakharovo near Moscow. It was the grandmother who hired Arina Rodionovna Yakovleva, the nanny whom young Pushkin loved so much.
Education and the beginning of a creative path
In 1811, Pushkin studied at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. In the biography of Pushkin, it is important to highlight that his poems first appeared in print in 1814, in the journal “Bulletin of Europe”, where his poem “To a Poet Friend” was published. During the same period, the poet was accepted into the Arzamas literary society.
Voltaire and Evariste Guys were the favorite authors of the young Pushkin.
The further work of the young Pushkin was greatly influenced by the works of such classics of Russian literature as Batyushkov, Zhukovsky, Fonvizin and Radishchev.
The youth of Alexander Pushkin
Young Alexander Sergeevich began receiving his education at home from completely different teachers. However, at the age of 7, he independently read books in French, wrote and composed poems, and staged plays for his family.
In 1811, the young poet was sent to study at the most prestigious imperial Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum . His work was regularly published in a local magazine. In 1815, during an exam, he read his poem “Memories of Tsarskoye Selo,” which earned the delight of Mr. Derzhavin.
In 1812, Alexander Sergeevich became a member of a closed secret society - Arzamas. The leader of the closed club was the historian Karamzin. It was thanks to him that young Alexander Sergeevich was recommended to help Neledinsky-Meletsky. Together they wrote cantatas for the wedding day of the beloved daughter of Emperor Paul I and the heir of Holland, the Prince of Orange.
In 1816, Alexander Sergeevich met Chaadaev. It was during these years that he absorbed a disgust for tyranny and usurpation; close communication with the military convinced him of the inevitability of a coup d'etat, which would be carried out with the help of young and promising military men.
Thus, a whole cycle of “hussar poems” came to light. Subsequently, many of his Decembrist friends were convicted, but Alexander Sergeevich himself escaped this fate thanks to poems written in honor of Emperor Alexander I.
The poet's work
In 1819, Pushkin was accepted as a member of the Green Lamp literary and theatrical community. During the same period, he was actively working on the poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila” (1820).
In 1821, Pushkin wrote the poem “Prisoner of the Caucasus,” which makes him one of the greatest writers among his contemporaries. A year later, work begins on “Eugene Onegin” (1823-1832).
In 1832, the poet decided to create a historical novel about the times of the Pugachev era, for which he studied all available materials (many of them were classified at that time), and traveled to many places where the uprising took place. After all these travels, in the fall of 1833, he wrote “The History of Pugachev” and “Songs of the Western Slavs,” as well as the poems “Angelo” and “The Bronze Horseman,” and began work on the story “The Queen of Spades.”
At the same time, Pushkin begins work on the novel “Dubrovsky,” in which the main character has to become a robber.
Southern link
Boris Shcherbakov. Pushkin over the lake in the evening (fragment). 1978. Private collection
In the spring of 1820, Alexander Pushkin went to Chisinau, to the office of the chief trustee of the colonists of the Southern Territory. On the way to his new duty station, the poet became very ill. To improve his health, Pushkin went first to the Caucasus, then to the Crimea. Travel impressions from the south of the empire were later reflected in some of his works. Finally, in September 1820, Pushkin arrived in Chisinau.
The new chief, Lieutenant General Ivan Inzov, treated his subordinate’s service condescendingly and did not entrust him with any official duties. Pushkin managed his time as he wanted: he communicated with members of the “Union of Welfare,” and joined the Ovid Masonic Lodge. In his free hours he still wrote. During this period, “Caucasian Prisoner”, “Gabriiliad”, “The Robber Brothers”, “Bakhchisarai Fountain”, “Song of the Prophetic Oleg” appeared. Pushkin also began working on a novel in verse, Eugene Onegin.
At this time, the poet’s books began to be published in St. Petersburg - “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, “Prisoner of the Caucasus”, “Bakhchisarai Fountain”. Pushkin’s professional activity began with them: he was the first of the writers in Russia to begin to earn money through literary work.
In 1823, Pushkin moved to Odessa. Here he got a job in the office of Count Vorontsov. However, soon official and personal conflicts led to Pushkin asking for resignation.
Vorontsov is a vandal, a court boor and a petty egoist. He saw me as a college secretary, but I admit, I think something different about myself. I will move away from evil and do good: I will give up my service and take up rhyme.
Alexander Pushkin
Meanwhile, in Moscow in 1824, the police opened a letter from Pushkin: he wrote to Kuchelbecker about his passion for “atheistic teachings.” For such statements, the poet was threatened with more than just resignation. Pushkin was sent into real exile to the family estate in the village of Mikhailovskoye, Pskov province - the South was still passed off as a forced business trip. The writer was deprived of his modest salary, supervision was established, and the end of the sentence was not indicated in any way.
Links
Political lyrics of Pushkin 1817-1820. (“Liberty”, “To Chaadaev”, “Village”) aroused the wrath of Alexander I, and Alexander Sergeevich could have been exiled to Siberia. Only thanks to the efforts and influence of Karamzin, Zhukovsky and Krylov, exile to Siberia was avoided. So, in May 1820, Pushkin was exiled to the south of Russia under the guise of a official transfer.
During his southern exile, Pushkin became very interested in Byron's work.
In one of his letters, Pushkin spoke ironically about religion. The letter was intercepted and delivered to Alexander I. The result was Pushkin’s dismissal from service and his second exile, to the village of Mikhailovskoye (1824-1826).
last years of life
It is important to note this point in Pushkin’s biography: after being promoted to the rank of chamber cadet, Alexander Pushkin decides to leave the service and resigns. The poet’s position looks completely disastrous, since many of Pushkin’s works are not allowed to be published due to censorship (for example, the poem “The Bronze Horseman”).
In 1834, Pushkin completed the story “The Queen of Spades,” which he immediately sent to the journal “Library for Reading.” He receives a high fee for the story, but he still fails to resolve financial issues.
In 1836, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin decides to publish the Sovremennik magazine. However, the magazine is not popular with the public. The historical novel “The Captain's Daughter” was published for the first time in the fourth volume of this magazine.
In 1837, a conflict arose between Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin and Georges Dantes. Pushkin challenges Dantes to a duel, and as a result receives a mortal wound in the stomach.
Emperor Nicholas I, knowing about the poet’s difficult condition, promises to provide income for his family and pay off all debts. Subsequently, the monarch fulfilled all promises. The poet died on January 29 (February 10), 1837.
Duel and death of the poet
Alexey Naumov. Pushkin's duel with Dantes (fragment). 1884. State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg
Adrian Volkov. The last shot of Alexander Pushkin (fragment). 1869. All-Russian Museum A.S. Pushkin, St. Petersburg
Mikhail Shankov (fragment). Duel. 2002. Private collection
In 1831, Alexander Pushkin was hired as a historiographer to write “The History of Peter.” But the writer was more fascinated by the biography of the rebel Emelyan Pugachev. Pushkin planned to create an epic novel about this era. First, he collected information in the archives, then went to the areas of the Pugachev uprising - the Volga region and the Urals - in order to reliably describe the events of that time.
After the expedition, Alexander Pushkin left for Boldino. On the family estate, he worked on the scientific essay “The History of Pugachev”, wrote “The Bronze Horseman”, “Angelo”, “The Queen of Spades”, “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish”, “The Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Knights”. The second Boldino autumn turned out to be half as long as the previous one, but no less productive for Pushkin.
Nicholas I granted Pushkin a junior court rank - the rank of chamber cadet. Now the Pushkin couple could be officially invited to court balls. The poet considered this position insulting for his age. The writer wanted to refuse the new title, but had to accept it.
Friends, Veliegorsky and Zhukovsky, had to pour cold water on the new chamber cadet, so excited was he [Pushkin] by this award! If not for them, he, being beside himself, flushed, with a blazing face, wanted to go to the palace and say rude things to the king himself.
Pavel Nashchokin, friend of the poet
In the 1830s, Pushkin wrote only realistic works. But his contemporaries were not ready for the new literary movement, which described social inequality, historical phenomena and other complex aspects of life. His fellow writers did not accept the writer’s new works, and he also did not find support in court circles. In St. Petersburg, there was gossip about Pushkin's wife and her admirers, and the poet received anonymous letters. The poet could not remain calm and endure offensive rumors.
On February 8, 1837, a duel between Alexander Pushkin and Georges Dantes, the main intriguer who discredited the reputation of Natalya Pushkina, took place. During the fight, the poet was seriously wounded and died two days later. Alexander Pushkin was buried on the territory of the Svyatogorsk Monastery in the Pskov province.
Interesting Facts
- It is interesting that the future classic of Russian literature remembered himself from the age of four. Remembering this time, Pushkin said that while on a walk, he felt the vibrations of the earth. Just at this time the last earthquake occurred in Moscow.
- Then, in early childhood, Pushkin’s first brief meeting with Alexander I took place. While walking with his nanny, little Sasha almost fell under the hooves of the emperor’s horse. The tragedy was avoided - Alexander held his horse.
- Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin loved books so much that he collected more than 3,500 copies in his home library.
- He was also a polyglot: he knew many foreign languages, including French, Greek, Latin, German and some others.
- In addition to creativity, Pushkin had two more great hobbies in his life - women and gambling. Possessing a special charm and charm, he attracted females. The poet's first love happened at the age of 16. From then until the end of his life, Pushkin had special feelings for women.
- He was also an avid gambler. Because of this, the poet often got into debt. However, it was his love for cards and the need for money that spurred Pushkin to write works, with fees for which he sometimes paid off his debts.
- Pushkin by nature was a sarcastic person. His jokes and mockery of his friends and contemporaries often led to duels.
- The poet participated in two dozen duels. In most fights, Alexander Sergeevich’s friends managed to reconcile the duelists. The first duel took place when Pushkin was still a lyceum student. The last, 29th duel, turned out to be fatal for him.
All interesting facts from the life of Pushkin
Boldino
Pushkin feels the need for everyday changes. In 1830, his repeated wooing to Natalya Nikolaevna Goncharova, an 18-year-old Moscow beauty, was accepted, and in the fall he went to the Nizhny Novgorod estate of his father Boldino to take possession of the nearby village of Kistenevo, donated by his father for the wedding. Cholera quarantines detained the poet for three months, and this time was destined to become the famous Boldin autumn, the highest point of Pushkin’s creativity, when a whole library of works poured out from under his pen: “The Stories of the Late Ivan Petrovich Belkin” (“Belkin’s Stories”, “The Experience of Dramatic studies”, “Little tragedies”), the last chapters of “Eugene Onegin”, “House in Kolomna”, “The History of the Village of Goryukhin”, “The Tale of the Priest and His Worker Balda”, several drafts of critical articles and about 30 poems.
Among Boldino’s works, which seem deliberately different from each other in genre and tone, two cycles especially contrast with each other: prose and dramatic. These are the two poles of his work, towards which the rest of his works, written in the three autumn months of 1830, gravitate.
“Belkin’s Tales” was the first completed work of Pushkin’s prose that has come down to us, the creation of which he undertook several times. In 1821, he formulated the basic law of his prose narrative: “Accuracy and brevity are the first virtues of prose. It requires thoughts and thoughts—without them, brilliant expressions serve no purpose.” These stories are also a kind of memoirs of an ordinary person who, not finding anything significant in his life, fills his notes with retellings of stories he heard that struck his imagination with their unusualness.
February 18 (March 2), 1831 Pushkin marries Natalya Goncharova in the Moscow Church of the Great Ascension at the Nikitsky Gate. In the spring of the same year, he moved with his wife to St. Petersburg, renting a dacha in Tsarskoe Selo for the summer. Here Pushkin writes “Onegin’s Letter,” thereby finally completing work on the novel in verse, which became his “faithful companion” for eight years of his life.
The new perception of reality that emerged in his work at the end of the 1820s required in-depth studies of history: the origins of the fundamental issues of our time should be found in it. In 1831, he received permission to work in the archives and enlisted again as a “historiographer,” receiving the highest assignment to write “The History of Peter.” The cholera riots, terrible in their cruelty, and the Polish events that brought Russia to the brink of war with Europe, appear to the poet as a threat to Russian statehood. Strong power in these conditions seems to him to be the key to the salvation of Russia - this idea inspired his poems “Before the Holy Tomb...”, “Slanderers of Russia”, “Borodin Anniversary”: the last two, together with the poem by V. A. Zhukovsky, were published in a special brochure “To take Warsaw” and caused accusations of political renegade, causing a decline in Pushkin’s popularity in the West and, to some extent, in Russia. At the same time, F.V. Bulgarin, associated with the III department, accused the poet of adherence to liberal ideas.
From the beginning of the 1830s, prose in Pushkin’s work began to prevail over poetic genres. "Belkin's Tales" were not successful. Pushkin is planning a broad epic canvas, a novel from the era of Pugachevism with a hero-nobleman who went over to the side of the rebels. This idea was abandoned for a while due to insufficient knowledge of that era, and work began on the novel “Dubrovsky” (1832-33), its hero, avenging his father, from whom the family estate was unjustly taken away, becomes a robber. Although the plot basis of the work was drawn by Pushkin from modern life, as the work progressed the novel increasingly acquired the features of a traditional adventurous narrative with a collision that was generally atypical for Russian reality. Perhaps, also foreseeing insurmountable censorship difficulties with the publication of the novel, Pushkin left work on it, although the novel was close to completion. The idea of a work about the Pugachev rebellion again attracts him, and true to historical accuracy, he interrupts for a while his studies of the Petrine era, studies printed sources about Pugachev, seeks to familiarize himself with documents on the suppression of the peasant uprising (the “Pugachev Case” itself, strictly classified, turns out to be inaccessible ), and in 1833 he made a trip to the Volga and the Urals to see with his own eyes the places of terrible events and hear living legends about the Pugachev era. Pushkin travels through Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan and Simbirsk to Orenburg, and from there to Uralsk, along the ancient Yaik River, renamed the Ural after the peasant uprising.
On January 7, 1833, Pushkin was elected a member of the Russian Academy at the same time as P. A. Katenin, M. N. Zagoskin, D. I. Yazykov and A. I. Malov. In the autumn of 1833 he returned to Boldino. Now Pushkin’s Boldino Autumn is half as long as it was three years ago, but in significance it is commensurate with the Boldino Autumn of 1830. In a month and a half, Pushkin completes work on “The History of Pugachev” and “Songs of the Western Slavs”, begins work on the story “The Queen of Spades”, creates the poems “Angelo” and “The Bronze Horseman”, “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish” and “The Tale of the Dead the princess and about the seven heroes", a poem in octaves "Autumn".
