Lermontov

Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov (October 15, 1814 – July 27, 1841) was a Russian poet, novelist, and playwright of the Romantic period. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in 19th‑century Russian literature and a central voice in Russian Romanticism. His mature work helped establish the Russian psychological novel, and he is often called the poet of the Caucasus for his influential depictions of exile, freedom, and frontier life.

Born in Moscow into a noble family, Lermontov studied at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum near Saint Petersburg, where he formed a circle of fellow poets and refined his lyric craft. After completing his education, he traveled and lived in Saint Petersburg and in the Caucasus, experiences that would strongly shape his writing and themes.

His major works include the lyric cycle Mtsyri (The Seeker or The Captive), the dramatic and visionary poem The Demon, and the novella-length novel in verse A Hero of Our Time (1840), widely regarded as a pioneering example of the Russian psychological novel. The unfinished Dubrovsky, a tale of social injustice and personal vengeance, appeared posthumously and contributed to his reputation as a versatile narrator and stylist.

Lermontov died in a duel in Pyatigorsk in 1841 at the age of 26. His death was widely mourned, but his writings continued to influence Russian literature, shaping later generations of poets and novelists who admired his existential depth, critical perspective on society, and lyrical intensity.

Today, Lermontov is remembered as a foundational figure in Russian literature, whose work remains a touchstone for examinations of romance, individual conscience, and social critique.