Alexander Pushkin
Biography
Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837) was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist, universally regarded as Russia’s greatest poet and the founder of modern Russian literature. Born into minor nobility in Moscow, he wrote prolifically from his teenage years. His verse novel Eugene Onegin (1825–1832), his play Boris Godunov, and his prose Tales of Belkin established the forms and language of Russian literature. Pushkin transformed Russian literary language, moving it from Church Slavonic formality toward a natural, spoken style. He was killed in a duel at age 37. Russians revere him as their national literary genius.
Common themes in Alexander Pushkin's work
Russian literature
A recurring theme throughout Alexander Pushkin's writing.
National poet
A recurring theme throughout Alexander Pushkin's writing.
Eugene Onegin
A recurring theme throughout Alexander Pushkin's writing.
Verse novel
A recurring theme throughout Alexander Pushkin's writing.
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Why Alexander Pushkin is still read today
Pushkin is the Shakespeare of Russian literature. Eugene Onegin is Russia’s most beloved literary work and the foundation of the Russian novel tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alexander Pushkin?
Alexander Pushkin (1799–1837) was Russia’s greatest poet and the founder of modern Russian literature, author of Eugene Onegin.
What is Eugene Onegin?
Russia’s most beloved literary work, a verse novel about love, society, and the superfluous man. Available free on TextStack.
Why is he so important to Russia?
He created modern Russian literary language and established the forms—verse novel, short story, drama—that Russian literature would follow.
Where can I read Pushkin free?
TextStack offers Eugene Onegin to read free online.
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