Who Was Vladimir Nabokov?
This Famous Russian is Often Considered an American Author
Born in St. Petersburg in 1899, Vladimir Nabokov was comfortable using Russian and English at an early age. He made contributions to literature in both languages.
Vladimir Nabokov was, in short, one of the 20th century's greatest novelists. However, Nabokov was much more than a novelist, and much much more than the author of his most famous work, Lolita. A native of St. Petersburg, Nabokov was Russian by birth, but this writer is often adopted into the American canon of writers. So who was Vladimir Nabokov?
Who Was Nabokov? – Nabokov as Writer
Nabokov began writing fiction in Russian, but was fluent at English and French at an early age. Later, he wrote many of his novels initially in English. Nabokov also wrote short stories, poetry, and plays. In Russia, his books were published under the alias “V. Sirin.”
Who Was Nabokov? - Nabokov as Critic
Nabokov was deeply interested in literature, and is remembered for his lectures about James Joyce's Ulysses. Additionally, Nabokov was never hesitant about describing his opinions of authors and their works in interviews or other media. For example, he felt that Dostoevsky, hailed as one of the greatest Russian writers, was mistakenly held in such high esteem.
Who Was Nabokov? - Nabokov as Translator
Nabokov, sometimes with the help of his son Dmitri, translated his own works from English to Russian and vice versa. He was also responsible for translating Pushkin's Eugene Onegin into English and analyzing his style beyond what other scholars had done previously. He also translated into a third language, French.
Who Was Nabokov? - Nabokov as Lepidopterist
Nabokov had a deep interest in butterflies. He was responsible for the discovery and naming of several genera of butterflies, and evidence of contributions to entomology still exist at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. His literary works are full of allusions to butterflies and moths.
Who Was Nabokov? - Nabokov as Teacher
Nabokov held teaching positions or professorships at Stanford University, Wellesley College, and Cornell, and was associated with other institutions of higher learning. He is fondly remembered by students and colleagues for his dedication to both his scientific studies and his pedagogy.
Who Was Nabokov? - Nabokov as Husband and Father
Nabokov married Vera Slonim in 1925. Despite Nabokov's affairs, Vera was an important figure in his life, as well as his chauffeur (Nabokov never learned to drive). Dmitri Nabokov, their only child, was born 9 years later. Dmitri would later be given the task of deciding the fate of his father's last, unfinished work.
References
Hamilton, John. Biography of Nabokov on Zembla. http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/abvn.htm
Nabokov, Vladimir. The Annotated Lolita. Ed. Alfred Appel, Jr. New York: Vintage Books, 1991.
