Passion or Profession: Author and Poet

Period: 1799–1837

Born in Moscow to a noble family, Pushkin was a published poet by the age of 14 and a recognized literary figure upon graduation from the prestigious Imperial Lyceum near St. Petersburg. However, his political radicalism landed him in exile in southern Russia in 1820. There he wrote one of his greatest works, the play Boris Godunov. It was published in 1831, after Pushkin came out of exile following the accession of Nicholas I to the throne. Other important works of this highly influential author include the verse novel Eugene Onegin (1828) and the poem The Bronze Horseman (1833). Pushkin died in a duel while defending his wife’s honor.