by M.Foster and K.Basham
by M.Foster and K.Basham
Born: Sorochintsi, Ukraine in 1809
Died: March 4, 1852
Nikolai Gogol was a Russian novelist, satirist, dramatist, and the "founder of critical realism in Russian literature." He was the son of a Ukrainian writer. He grew up on his parents' country estate, and went to boarding school for high school. He intended to become a full time Russian writer, but was criticized, and left Europe. When he came back, Gogol tried to become an actor, but could not find work and had to work in civil services to support himself. Gogol also tried to be an assistant lecturer at University of St. Petersburg. When that did not work out, he became a full time writer.
Near the end of his life, Gogol met a priest named Father Konstantinovskii. Under his influence, Gogol burned sequals for Dead Souls. Ten days later, he died, close to madness.
Nikolai Gogol's Grave
Gogol is probably most well known for the novel, Mertvye Dushi,
or Dead Souls.
