Alexander Pushkin
Basic
Aktualizováno: 2025-12-07
Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-12-07 Diary Coverage: Book 00 (1884 preface)
Identity
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (1799-1837) was Russia's greatest poet and the founder of modern Russian literature. Marie mentions him as a contemporary of her maternal grandfather.
Biography
Life and Career:
- Born 1799 in Moscow to noble family
- Considered the father of Russian literary language
- Master of poetry, prose, drama, and historical writing
- Major works include "Eugene Onegin," "The Bronze Horseman," "Boris Godunov"
- Combined Romantic sensibility with emerging Realism
Death:
- Killed in a duel in 1837 at age 37
- Defending his wife's honor against Georges d'Anthès
- His death shocked Russian society
- Lermontov's poem denouncing the court for Pushkin's death made Lermontov famous
Cultural Significance
Pushkin's importance to Russian culture cannot be overstated:
- Created the foundation of modern Russian literary language
- Influenced every Russian writer who followed
- Symbol of Russian cultural identity
- His works are memorized by Russian schoolchildren
- June 6 (his birthday) is celebrated as Russian Language Day
Pushkin's Generation
The generation of the 1820s-1830s:
- Influenced by the Napoleonic Wars (1812 invasion of Russia)
- Witnessed the Decembrist Revolt (1825)
- Embraced European Romanticism while developing Russian themes
- Combined aristocratic privilege with liberal sympathies
- Often faced censorship and exile for political views
Connection to Bashkirtseff Family
Marie's maternal grandfather was "le contemporain de Lermontoff, Pouchkine etc." This identifies him as:
- Member of educated Russian nobility (1820s-1840s)
- Cultured and literary ("militaire lettré")
- Part of the Romantic generation
- Likely familiar with Pushkin's poetry
- Representative of Russia's "Golden Age" of literature
This cultural context was important to Marie's understanding of her family heritage.
Related Entries
- #Lermontov - Major poet of next generation
- #Lord_Byron - Influence on Russian Romantics
- #Grand_papa - Marie's grandfather, Pushkin's contemporary
- #Russia
%% 2025-12-07T12:15:00 RSR: Created entry for cultural context of Marie's grandfather's generation %%