The Father of Russian Literature

Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837)     Alexander Pushkin was born on May 26, 1799 in Moscow. In 1811 he attended the Imperial Lyceum in Tsarskoe Selo, where his poetic talent began to grow. After graduating in 1817, Pushkin was taken to the ministry of foreign affairs in Petersburg. There his works began to reflect his liberal views until 1820. In 1820 these political poems led to an inspection by the Petersburg governor-general then to an exile to South Russia. In July 1823 Pushkin was transferred to Odessa from the aid of influential friends. There he became involved with theatre and social outgoings. Later in a letter Pushkin wrote that supported atheism officials had interrupted it, and exiled Pushkin to north Russia, on his mother’s estate of Mikhaylovskoe. In 1825, while still in Mikhaylovskoe, the Decembrist party rebellion took place. Though Pushkin not being part of this party all members had copies of Pushkin’s early political poems. Consequently he destroyed all his papers he believed could harm him. In 1826 Pushkin sent the Tsar a petition for him to be released. After a study showing Pushkin’s behavior to be cooperative Nicholas I released him from exile. Though he was liberated he was not allowed to make any trip, participate in any journal, publish any work, or read in literary circles without permission.
     Alexander Pushkin began to seek a wife, no less than the most beautiful one in Russia. In 1829 he proposed to Natalia Goncharova. She agreed to marry him, on the condition of his situation with the government to be elucidated. Finally he was authorized to marry Goncharova, and given permission to publish Boris Godunov as a wedding present. Also as a wedding present he received half of his fathers estate. In order for him to receive it Pushkin needed to visit Boldino. Though Pushkin thought he would only stay for a few days he was kept there for three months due to the epidemic of Asiatic cholera. On February 18, 1831 Pushkin was wed to Goncharova. After their marriage, they moved to Tsarskoe Selo hoping to live in “inspirational solitude and in the circle of sweet recollections.” Contrarily the Tsar and court took refuge there because of the cholera epidemic. So in 1831 the Pushkins made their final move, to Petersburg. Here Natalia was known and liked much by all, especially the Tsar. Pushkin was made a court rank by the Tsar so Natalia could attend the balls. Pushkin wrote letters of his humiliation of her. Officials stopped these letters and he consequently resigned from his rank. Later he overthrew his resignation, thinking this would upset the tsar more since he would not see Natalia at balls.
     Overtime Pushkin grew more and more in debt, from Natalia’s balls, supporting her two sisters, and undertaking his brother’s debts. Finally he asked to retire in the country, or a loan and permission to publish a journal. Though a loan and permission to publish a journal was granted, the journal, The Contemporary, was not financially successful. Natalia’s popularity grew more as well. She grew fond of a young French royalist, Heeckeren. He pursued her as well. Their relationship growing into an affair, Pushkin challenged Heeckeren to a duel but then declined. He declined because of rumors that Heeckeren was really in love with Natalia’s sister. Unexpectedly Natalia’s sister and Heeckeren wed in 1837. Though he was married to her sister, Heeckeren and Natalia still met in secret. On November 4 Pushkin wrote Heeckeren a letter accusing him of his “bastard” and challenging him to a duel. The duel occurred on January 27, 1837. Heeckeren fired first and fatally injured Pushkin. Two day later Pushkin died. Many sympathized and mourned his death. To avoid public display the funeral was moved to a small church with admission only by ticket. Then later during midnight, secretly, his corpse was sent to his burial. On February 6, 1837 Alexander Pushkin was buried in Svyatye Gory Monastery beside his mother.       Where and When Pushkin Lived  Pushkin's Works 
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