Biography of Alexander Pushkin
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist who is
considered the founder of modern Russian literature. He was born on June 6, 1799, in
Moscow, Russia, into a noble family with African ancestry through his great-grandfather,
Abram Gannibal.
Pushkin showed talent in poetry from an early age and published his first poem at the age of
15. He studied at the prestigious Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, where he wrote many of his early
works. His poem Ruslan and Ludmila brought him fame, but also controversy due to its bold
style.
Throughout his life, Pushkin often clashed with authorities over his political views and
writings. He was exiled several times but continued to produce some of Russia’s most
important literary works, including Eugene Onegin, The Bronze Horseman, and Boris
Godunov.
Pushkin married Natalia Goncharova in 1831, but their marriage faced difficulties,
especially due to gossip and court scandals. In 1837, he challenged Georges d'Anthès, his
wife's rumored lover, to a duel. Pushkin was fatally wounded and died on February 10,
1837, at the age of 37.
Pushkin's influence on the Russian language and literature is immense. His works are still
widely read, and he is celebrated as Russia’s greatest poet.