Ivan Krylov

Ivan Andreyevich Krylov — Russian poet, fabulist, translator, employee of the Imperial Public Library, State Councillor, Full Member of the Imperial Russian Academy (1811), ordinary academician of the Imperial Academy of Sciences in the Department of Russian Language and Literature (1841). He was born on February 2 (February 14, new style) in Moscow into the family of a poor army captain who received his officer’s rank only after thirteen years of service as a soldier. In 1775 his father retired, and the family settled in Tver. The future fabulist received a meager education, but, endowed with exceptional abilities, reading a great deal from early childhood and perseveringly and persistently educating himself, he became one of the most enlightened people of his time. After his father’s death the family was left without any means of subsistence, and from the age of ten Krylov had to work as a clerk in the Tver court. His mother failed to obtain a pension after her husband’s death, and in 1782 it was decided to go to St. Petersburg to petition for a pension. Nothing could be obtained there either, but a position as a clerk in the Treasury Chamber was found for Krylov. Moreover, St. Petersburg opened up the possibility for him to engage in literary work. During 1786–1788 Krylov wrote the tragedies Cleopatra and Philomela and the comedies The Frenzied Family and The Mischief-Makers. The name of the young playwright soon became known in theatrical and literary circles. In 1789 Krylov began publishing the satirical journal The Spirit Mail, which continued the traditions of Russian satirical journalism. Because of its radical orientation the journal managed to survive only eight months, but Krylov did not abandon his intention to revive it. In 1792 he created a new satirical journal The Spectator, which immediately became popular because of the topicality of its subject matter. The tale Kaib allegorically presented the arbitrariness and deceitful liberalism of a totalitarian regime, in which the reader easily recognized contemporary Russia. In the summer of 1792 the printing house was searched, Krylov came under police surveillance, and publication of the journal had to be discontinued. In 1791–1801 Krylov withdrew from journalistic activity and wandered about the provinces: he visited Tambov, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod,