Facts about Alexander Pushkin
Russia's Most Famous Poet Pervades Russian Culture
Alexander Pushkin's life - from his African grandfather to his affiliation with the Decembrists - has captured the imagination of every Russian writer since his day.
Fact about Alexander Pushkin: Pushkin's Great-Grandfather Was of African Descent
A point of pride for Alexander Pushkin was his heredity. His great-grandfather, Abram Gannibal (or Hannibal), entered Peter the Great's court and gained a military title and an estate. The genes inherited from Gannibal gave Pushkin an exoticism that was rare during this day. In addition, the origin of his ancestor influenced his work and writing, was implied in portraits of the poet, and gave Russian society one more reason to find Pushkin irresistible.
Fact about Alexander Pushkin: Pushkin Was a Member of the Decembrists
The Decembrists were a group of noblemen who sought to honor the people of Russia (i.e., the peasants) by writing laws in such a way that they could be understood by everybody (in Russian), defend them against the tsarist regime, and give them rights accorded to them as citizens of the realm (they were little more than slaves during Pushkin's day). Pushkin played his part in the Decembrist movement by writing in Russian, rather than French, and earning the title the “Father of Russian Literature.”
For Pushkin, being a member of the Decembrists would prove to be dangerous for his position at court. Many of his fellow Decembrists were executed; Pushkin escaped this fate, but was on constant rocky ground with the Tsar, who alternately welcomed him into court or banished him according to political currents.
Fact about Alexander Pushkin: Pushkin Helped Nadezhda Durova Publish Her Memoirs
Nadezhda Durova, a female soldier in the Napoleanic wars, was given recognition by Pushkin for her accounts of her service in the military. Pushkin first published an excerpt from The Cavalry Maiden in 1836. This book, although it fell out of publication for a time, is an important look into gender issues, military history, and the tradition of Russian autobiographies.
Fact about Alexander Pushkin: Pushkin Influenced Russian Literary Tradition
All Russian writers who have succeeded Pushkin have looked back to his life and work for inspiration. Pushkin's influence is so pervasive in the Russian literary tradition, that it is difficult to find any writer who does not reference him in their work. Lermontov, Dostoevsky, Nabokov, and many others were proud to walk in Pushkin's footsteps and readily called attention to their reverence for the poet.
Fact about Alexander Pushkin: Pushkin Influenced Russian Art and Music
Pushkin's life, stories, and poems not only inspired writers. Russian artists and composers also gave Pushkin high honors. Pushkin's novel in verse, Eugene Onegin, has been made into operas and films. The Captain's Daughter, The Queen of Spades, Boris Godunov, and many other works have been interpreted into visual art, music, and film.
References
Durova, Nadezhda. The Cavalry Maiden. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1989.
Figes, Orlando. A People’s Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924. New York: Penguin Books, 1996
