Alexander Belyaev

Alexander Romanovich Belyayev was a Soviet science fiction writer, one of the founders of Soviet science fiction literature. His books deal with the problems of future science and technology. Among his best-known works are “Professor Dowell’s Head,” “Amphibian Man,” “Ariel,” and “The KETs Star” (KETs are the initials of Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky), as well as many others (more than 70 science fiction works in all, including 13 novels).

Biography

He was born in Smolensk into the family of an Orthodox priest. There were two other children in the family: his sister Nina died in childhood of sarcoma; his brother Vasily, a student at the Veterinary Institute, drowned while boating.

His father wanted his son to continue his work and in 1895 sent him to a theological seminary. In 1901, Alexander graduated from it, but did not become a priest; on the contrary, he left it a convinced atheist. Defying his father, he entered the Demidov Law Lyceum in Yaroslavl. Soon after his father’s death he had to earn money on the side: Alexander gave lessons, painted scenery for the theater, and played violin in a circus orchestra.

After graduating from the Demidov Lyceum in 1906, A. Belyayev obtained the position of private attorney in Smolensk and soon gained a reputation as a good lawyer. He acquired a regular clientele. His financial means also increased: he was able to rent and furnish a good apartment, acquire a fine collection of paintings, and assemble a large library. After completing a case, he would travel abroad: he visited France and Italy, and saw Venice.

In 1914 he gave up law for literature and theater.

At the age of thirty-five, A. Belyayev fell ill with tuberculous pleurisy. Treatment was unsuccessful, and spinal tuberculosis developed, complicated by paralysis of the legs. The severe illness kept him bedridden for six years, three of them in a plaster cast. His young wife left him, saying that she had not married in order to care for a sick husband. In search of specialists who could help him,