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Biography of Leskov

Nikolai Semenovich Leskov is a prose writer, the most popular writer of Russia, a playwright. The author of well-known novels, novels and stories, such as “Nowhere”, “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk”, “On knives”, “Soboryane”, “Lefty” and many others, the creator of the theatrical play “The Waste”.

Early years

Born February 4, 1831 in the village of Gorokhov Orel province in the family of an investigator and daughter of an impoverished nobleman. They had five children, Nicholas was the eldest child. The writer’s childhood was held in the town of Orel. After the father leaves his position, the family moves from Eagle to the village of Panino. Here, the study and knowledge of Leskov people began.

Education and Career

In 1841, at the age of 10, Leskov entered the Orel gymnasium. With the study of the future writer did not develop – for 5 years of study he graduated only 2 classes.

In 1847 Leskov, thanks to the help of his father’s friends, found a job in the Orel criminal chamber of the court clerk. At the age of sixteen, tragic events took place, which should be mentioned even in the brief biography of Leskov – the father died of cholera, and all property was burned down in the fire.

In 1849 Leskov, with the help of his uncle, was transferred to Kiev as an official of the treasury chamber, where he later became head of the staff. In Kiev, Leskov had an interest in Ukrainian culture and great writers, painting and architecture of the old city.

In 1857, Leskov left work and entered the commercial service in a large agricultural company of his uncle, an Englishman, for which for three years he traveled most of Russia. After the closure of the company, in 1860 he returned to Kiev.

Creative life

1860 is considered the beginning of the creative Leskov-writer, at this time he writes and publishes articles in various journals. Six months later, he moved to St. Petersburg, where he plans to engage in literary and journalistic activities.

In 1862, Leskov became

a regular employee of the newspaper “Northern Bee”. Working in it as a correspondent, he visited Western Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Poland. He was close and sympathetic to the life of the western twin-peoples, so he went into the study of their art and way of life. In 1863 Leskov returned to Russia.

Long studying and watching the life of the Russian people, sympathizing with his sorrows and needs, from the pen of Leskov go out the stories “Extinguished the case”, the story “The Life of a Woman”, “Ovtsebyk”, “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.”

In the novels “Nowhere”, “Skirted”, “At the knives” the writer revealed the topic of Russia’s unpreparedness for the revolution. Maxim Gorky said “… after the evil novel” At the knives “the literary work of Leskov immediately becomes a vivid painting or, rather, icon painting – he begins to create for Russia the iconostasis of her saints and saints.”

Having disagreements with the revolutionary democrats, Leskov refused to publish many journals. The only one who published his works was Mikhail Katkov, editor of the magazine Russkiy Vestnik. Leskov with him was incredibly difficult to work with, the editor of the rules practically all of the writer’s works, and some even refused to print at all.

In 1870 – 1880 he wrote the novels “Soboryane”, “Rape”, which revealed national and historical problems. The novel “The Rape” was not completed by Leskov because of disagreements with the publisher Katkov. Also at this time he wrote several novels: “Islanders”, “Enchanted Wanderer”, “Sealed Angel”. Fortunately, “The Impressed Angel” was not affected by editorial editing by Mikhail Katkov.

In 1881 Leskov wrote the story “Lefty” – an old legend about the masters of the weapons business.

The story “Hare’s Remy” was the last great work of the writer. In it, he criticized the political system of Russia at that time. The story was published only in 1917 after the Revolution.

Leo Tolstoy spoke of Nikolai Semenovich Leskov as “the most Russian of our writers,” Anton Chekhov, along with Ivan Turgenev, considered him one of his main mentors.

Personal life of the writer

Personal life in the biography of Nikolai Leskov was not very successful. The first wife of the writer in 1853 was the daughter of a Kiev merchant Olga Smirnova. They had two children – the first-born, the son of Mitya, who died in infancy, and the daughter of Vera. My wife fell ill with a mental disorder and was treated in St. Petersburg. The marriage broke up.

In 1865 Leskov lived with the widow Catherine Bubnova. The couple had a son Andrew. With his second wife, he sold out in 1877.

Last years

The last five years of Leskov’s life were tormented by asthma attacks, from which he later died. Nikolai Semenovich died on February 21, 1895 in St. Petersburg. The writer was buried at Volkovsky Cemetery.