18th Century Russian Literature/Writers

Hagop Ohanessian History 142

Dr. DenBeste October 27, 2009

Aleksandr Radishchev

Denis Fonvizi

Gavrila DerzhavinNikolay Karamzin

Writers of the 18th Century

• The 18th Century in Russian History sought a great deal of change in culture and one of the most interesting aspects of this period is the development of Russian literature by a number of Russian writers

• Russian literature in the 18th Century was aimed to educate the society through simple stories, poems, and plays

Mikhail Lomonosov

• 1711-1765• A Russian Polymath who

not only was a writer but also a scientist

• A poet who revolutionized the modern Russian literary language

• One of his literary works include “Evening Meditation on the God's Grandeur”

Ivan Andreyevich Krylov

Born 1964 died 1844, Krylov was an 18th Century Russian fabulist who created his own original works. Krylov is considered to be the founder of Russian fable tradition. In 1823, he was awarded the gold medal by the Russian Academy for Literary works. His works include “Fox and Crow; A Little Box; Frog and Bullock; The Oracle; Hermit and Bear; The Peasant and Death”(1807), “Crow and Fowl; Sharing Up; andThe wolf in the Kennels; A Train of Carts” (1812).

Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin

• 1766-1826• Literary reformer of the

Russian language and a Historian

• Remembered for his most famous work “History of the Russian State”, a 12-volume national history

• Bednaya Liza (“Poor Liza”) was the youth bestseller at the end of 18th century

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizi

Born 1746 died 1792 who was a play writer in Russian Enlightenment History. Born in Moscow to a gentry family and received his education at the University of Moscow. He is most famous for writing two comedies which are considered to be popular in Russian history; they are “Woe from Wit and “The Minor”. He was so popular that his plays are still preformed today.

Aleksandr Nikolayevich Radishchev• 1749-1802• An author an social critic

who was exiled under Catherine the Great

• He brought radicalism in Russian literature which portrayed the socio-economic conditions in Russia

• Famous publication was the “A Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow”

Gavriil (Gavrila) Romanovich DerzhavinBorn 1743 died 1816 and Derzhavin is considered to be one of Russia’s greatest poets. He was born in Kazan and is widely know for his ode work. He often wrote them for Empress Catherine the Great. His major ode works include "On the Death of Prince Meschersky" (1779); the playful "Ode to Felica" (1782); the lofty "God" (1785), “Waterfall” (1794) and many more.

Russian Literary Contributions 18th Century

• Russian literature in the 18th Century proved to be an era where the Russian literary writers contributed heavily on improving the Russian language which brought change to Russian culture in a positive way

• Russian writers of this period aimed to entertain their audience; it is obvious that even to this day the works have not be forgotten

• Russian Tsars and Tsarinas in the 18th Century most of them supported these writers but for others they were exiled for the works they produced.