Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy
A Russian count who masterfully dramatized the turbulent souls of tsars and co-created literature's most hilarious fictional bureaucrat.
1817–1875 (age 58)·Russian poet, novelist, and playwright·Birthday: September 5
Biography
Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy wrote a dramatic trilogy on the end of the Rurik dynasty, bringing Shakespearean depth to Russian history. The plays explore Ivan the Terrible's psychological torment and Tsar Fyodor's weak will. Born a wealthy count, he played as a child with the future Alexander II and enjoyed access to power. In a sharp contrast, he and his cousins invented Kozma Prutkov, a pompous civil servant who wrote absurd verses. The Prutkov writings became a beloved satire of bureaucracy. He also wrote an early vampire story and lyrical poetry, including words to a popular romance.
#1 When Aleksey Was Born
The biggest hits of 1817
Aleksey's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1817Born
1822Started school
1830Became a teenager
1833Could drive
1835Could vote
1838Turned 21
1847Turned 30
1857Turned 40
1867Turned 50
President: Andrew Johnson
1875Died at 58
President: Ulysses S. Grant
Key Achievements
- Wrote the historical drama trilogy "The Death of Ivan the Terrible," "Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich," and "Tsar Boris."
- Co-created the fictional satirical author Kozma Prutkov, a lasting icon of Russian literary humor.
- Authored the Gothic novella "The Family of the Vourdalak," an early and influential vampire tale in Russian literature.
- Wrote the poem "My Little Birch Tree" which was set to music and became a widely known romance.
Did You Know?
He was a second cousin to the more famous novelist Leo Tolstoy.
He served as a courtier and Master of the Hunt for the Russian Imperial Court.
His play "Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich" was the first production of the Moscow Art Theatre in 1898.
He was an accomplished hunter and wrote a detailed book about his hunting experiences.
“"A specialist is like a gumboil: his completeness is one-sided." (Attributed to Kozma Prutkov, his collaborative creation)”
