Nikolay Karamzin

Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin — Russian historian, writer, reformer of the Russian language; journalist and publisher.

Childhood, education, milieu He was born into the family of a moderately wealthy landowner, M. E. Karamzin, in Simbirsk Governorate. He lost his mother at an early age. From his earliest childhood he began reading books from his mother’s library, French novels, The Roman History by Ch. Rollin, works by F. Emin, and others. After receiving his initial education at home, he studied at a noble boarding school in Simbirsk, then at one of the best private boarding schools of Professor I. M. Shaden of Moscow University, where in 1779–1780 he studied languages; he also attended lectures at Moscow University.

In 1781 he entered military service in the Preobrazhensky Regiment in St. Petersburg, where he became friends with A. I. and I. I. Dmitriev. This was a time not only of intense intellectual pursuits, but also of the pleasures of social life. After his father’s death, Karamzin retired in 1784 with the rank of lieutenant and never served again, something regarded in society at the time as a challenge. After a short stay in Simbirsk, where he joined a Masonic lodge, Karamzin moved to Moscow and was introduced into the circle of N. I. Novikov, settling in a house belonging to Novikov’s Friendly Learned Society (1785).

1785–1789 were years of association with Novikov; at this time he also grew close to the Pleshcheev family, and for many years he was bound to N. I. Pleshcheeva by a tender platonic friendship. Karamzin published his first translations and original works, in which interest in European and Russian history is clearly visible. Karamzin was the author and one of the publishers of the first children’s magazine, Children’s Reading for the Heart and Mind (1787–1789), founded by Novikov. Karamzin retained a feeling of gratitude and deep respect for Novikov throughout his life, defending him in later years.

European journey, literary and publishing activity Karamzin was